Carl Philpott
Diary Leader
Carl envisions no other career for himself than being at Hogben & Partis. His dedication to continuous learning and improvement is matched by his passion for providing exceptional care to families and their loved ones, ensuring they receive the support they deserve during challenging times.
Before joining Hogben & Partis, Carl spent nearly 23 years working in mail order sales for historical motorsport car parts and tools. Outside of work, Carl enjoys spending quality time with his family and socialising with friends. He also has a strong passion for football. Married to Anna since 2015, Carl is a devoted father to their two wonderful children.
Daniel Bryan
Principal Funeral Director
Daniel joined Viner & Sons after a 15-year career in the hairdressing industry. He values the opportunity to learn from a highly experienced team that upholds the highest standards.
He is committed to providing exceptional care for families during their difficult times and ensuring that we deliver the best possible service.
Recently married in August 2022, Daniel loves staying active with his partner, exploring new adventures, and trying out new experiences. He enjoys challenging himself and has completed five multi-day charity bike rides and participated in two charity boxing matches.
Debbie Fortune
Funeral Arranger
I entered the funeral industry in 2018, inspired by a personal experience. After my mum passed away from cancer, I felt a strong desire to give back, as I knew she had been treated with the utmost respect and care by the funeral home. From the moment I started my first role in a funeral home, I knew I had found my calling and dedicated myself fully to this work. Later, during the first wave of COVID-19, my dad passed away. Once again, the funeral home staff treated him with great care and respect. These experiences reinforced my commitment to providing that same level of care and respect to the families and loved ones who come into my care. For me, it is an honour and a privilege to support families during such difficult times.
On a personal note, I have been married to my amazing husband for 34 years. We have four wonderful grown children and two perfect grandchildren, who are the light of my life. They truly mean the world to me!
Jack Davis
Principal Funeral Director
Jack has been a dedicated professional in the funeral industry since 2014. With a profound commitment to his vocation, Jack has consistently demonstrated a deep compassion for the families he serves. His empathetic approach and attention to detail ensure that each family receives the utmost care and respect during their most challenging times. Jack’s extensive experience and genuine passion for supporting families in their hour of need have made him a trusted and invaluable leader in our team. His unwavering dedication to providing comfort and guidance during the grieving process underscores his exceptional service in the funeral profession.
Jo Mears
Funeral Experience Leader
Jo has been an integral part of the funeral industry for the past four years, bringing with her a lifetime of exposure and understanding, having grown up around the business owned by her family. Following the profound loss of both her mother and grandmother within a span of two weeks, Jo felt a calling to channel her exceptional people skills into the funeral profession. This personal experience has deepened her empathy and commitment to helping families during their most vulnerable moments. Jo is passionate about her role, finding it a true honour to support grieving families, and she feels deeply enriched by the stories she hears about loved ones who have passed.
As a single mother of three older children, whom she adores, Jo balances her professional and personal life with grace. She cherishes spending quality time with her family and friends, enjoying social activities, and taking leisurely walks with her beloved pug. Jo’s dedication to her job and her ability to connect with people make her a compassionate and invaluable member of our team.
Katie Didcock
Funeral Arranger
Katie Didcock spent the last decade building and running a successful laundry and ironing service for customers in and around Ashford. After the unexpected loss of her husband during COVID-19, Katie sought a career change, driven by a desire to help and support families during their most difficult times, making the process as smooth as possible for them.
Katie has three older children with whom she loves spending quality time, and a chihuahua that is always eager for cuddles. She enjoys traveling and dreams of exploring more of the world. Katie’s compassionate nature and personal experiences make her a dedicated and empathetic funeral arranger, committed to providing exceptional care and support to the families she serves.
Kerrie Nixon
Managing Director
Kerrie Nixon has been an integral part of the business since 2020, bringing her passion for helping people to her role as Managing Director. With a strong background in leadership and a deep commitment to providing exceptional service, Kerrie has been instrumental in guiding our organisation with vision and empathy. Her dedication to supporting both the staff and the families we serve is evident in every aspect of her work. Under her leadership, Hogben & Partis has continued to uphold its reputation for compassion and excellence. Kerrie’s unwavering focus on community, care, and professionalism makes her an invaluable leader and a driving force behind our mission to support families during their most challenging times.
Lana Wilson-Agate
Funeral Director
Lana Wilson-Agate joined Viner & Sons in June 2022, bringing a unique and valuable perspective from her previous career in mechanics. The profound personal losses of family members in recent years inspired Lana to change her career path, leading her to discover a deep passion for ensuring that each person’s final journey is both memorable and respectful. Her meticulous attention to detail and commitment to honouring the deceased have quickly made her an indispensable member of our team.
Lana lives with her wife, their beautiful daughter and their beloved chihuahua. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, go-karting, and spending quality moments with friends and family. Lana’s diverse interests and compassionate nature enrich her role at Viner & Sons, where she is dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to the families we serve.
Lucy Conn
Funeral Director & HR Leader
Lucy has over 24 years of experience in caring for families, demonstrating a profound dedication to her profession. Her journey in the funeral industry began at the young age of 15, when she took up a Saturday job as a funeral home assistant. This early exposure sparked a passion for helping others during their most difficult times.
After finishing school, she trained as an embalmer, then as a funeral arranger, and ultimately became a funeral director. Her dedication to the profession led her to earn a diploma in funeral service in 2022, and she is now a member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors.
A devoted mother of two girls, Lucy cherishes spending quality time with her daughters, balancing her professional commitment with her role as a loving parent.
Matt Conn
Funeral Services Team Member
Matt has been involved in the funeral industry for the past 10 years, bringing a diverse background to his work. Prior to this, he served as a signal installer on the railways and as a paratrooper in the army, experiences that have equipped him with unique skills and perspectives.
Outside of his professional life, Matt is passionate about swimming and maintaining his fitness. He cherishes time spent with his beautiful wife, Lucy, and their four daughters, finding joy and fulfilment in family life.
Sarah Spence
Funeral Director
Since starting in the funeral industry in 2010, Sarah hasn’t looked back. She couldn’t imagine doing any other job. With 14 years experience and a diploma in FAA and FD, Sarah has worked in nearly all areas of the profession.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, their two teenage sons, and their beloved dog, Roxy. Sarah loves taking long walks through the countryside with Roxy, often ending with a drink at a local pub. She also enjoys paddleboarding, trips in their caravan, and their annual holidays to Cornwall.
She is passionate about helping people in their time of need and believes in the importance of building strong community relationships.
Wendy Barnes
Funeral Arranger
Wendy became a part of Hogben and Partis in 2005, stepping into the role of Funeral Arranger. With 17 years of dedicated service under her belt, her commitment to helping families organise meaningful and memorable farewells remains as strong as ever. Her enduring passion for this role underscores her deep empathy and dedication to providing exceptional care during one of life’s most challenging times.
Outside of her professional life, Wendy cherishes spending quality time with her grandchildren and relishes long walks on weekends. These moments offer her a refreshing balance to her demanding work, allowing her to enjoy both her personal life and the fulfilling aspects of her career.
