Oliver took over the role of Managing Director from his father, Edward, in 2021. As he leads the company into the future he brings together expertise from a number of areas and industries to support the staff and the company. He is the sixth generation to own, and run, this long-established local family business.

Recently, his work has focused on developing the sustainability credentials of the company which has included negotiating greener energy contracts, the purchase of our first Electric Van (Evan) and developing new paper-free and carbon aware ways of working. Oliver has the aim of being able to conduct fully carbon neutral funerals in the near future.

In 2024, Oliver was elected to the SAIF (The National Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors) National Executive Committee. Within a few months of joining the committee he was asked to Chair the new Environmental Group looking at how the funeral industry may move towards a more sustainable future. While this is a large challenge, he is proud to be helping lead the way for other Independent Funeral Directors across the United Kingdom.

Fiona still loves living in Hastings, where she was born and raised. Her passion for mathematics and business was evident even during her time at Helenswood Secondary School and Sixth Form. Having spent more than 20 years working in a local accounting firm, she joins Towners as Accounts Manager and loves the busy varied day-to-day operations of the accounts department.

In her own time, Fiona volunteers as a dog walker for The Cinnamon Trust and likes to hang out with friends and their four-legged companions.

Harish is originally from India and has a proven track record in the fields of Health Safety and Environmental Management.

In addition to his Engineering Degree and NEBOSH Certification, he owns a Level 7 International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management. He began working as a Health and Safety Advisor at Towners in 2021 and enjoys the challenge and accountability that come with the job. He had a positive experience working with multinational oil and gas corporations in the Middle East.

He and his family reside in Eastbourne. He likes family interactions, engaging in cricket, driving, photography, and editing.

Duncan was brought up and educated in Hastings. As a teenager he developed an interest in acting at the Stables Theatre, and went on to train professionally.

Following a period of early experience in panto and plays around the country, Duncan found himself with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in a connection which lasted a number of years and concluded with him as Resident Director.

On his return from London he joined Towners in 2000, and worked first as a driver and then as a funeral director, passing the Diploma in Funeral Directing in 2003.

Duncan is a Deacon in the Catholic Church. His duties include a leading part in services and the training of adults new to the faith in preparation for reception into the church.

Duncan and his family, his wife and two teenage children, all share in various ways in his participation in the theatre and in active membership of the congregation of St. Mary Star of the Sea.

Born and raised in Kent, Joanne crosses the county border to join us more recently.
Having worked for a local law firm, then on to the corporate environment of Allianz Insurance, followed by some years at The National Trust, she has gained a wide perspective on the working world and how to best look after the needs of others.

If you were to ask her which of her roles she finds the most fulfilling, she would whole-heartedly tell you, “That of a Funeral Director” and so would we! She hopes one day to move ‘shore-side,’ to wake every day to that beautiful view we have just outside our office and to learn to sail, especially coming from a family of sailors. Having been lucky to have travelled far and wide over the years, she now looks forward to exploring the countryside, coasts and landscapes closer to home with precious friends and family.

Born and raised in Hastings, Dele lives there with his wife and two daughters and grandchild. On leaving school, Dele joined the Army and served with the Royal Engineers in Northern Ireland. On leaving the Army, Dele worked in numerous jobs and has worked with both corporate and Independent Funeral directors.

He joined us in March 2022 as a Funeral Director and has been enjoying every minute.

In his spare time he is a keen photographer and sportsman. What time is left is spent with his family or watching films, reading, listening to a wide range of music and, during the football season, enduring the peaks and troughs of being an Arsenal supporter.

Stephen was born in Gravesend, Kent and raised in the Hastings area where he has lived for over twenty years. Privately educated locally, Stephen graduated from The University of Kent in Canterbury with a degree in English Literature & Drama. Stephen has worked part time for over five years with Towners, from administrative support and reception to working as a funeral director and funeral operative.

Stephen works part time alongside his career in professional theatre and is the Artistic Director of the Bowler Crab Theatre Company which has toured Shakespeare productions around the UK since 2013. When not working at Towners or at BCTC, in his spare time Stephen is a keen writer, 'tough mudder' novice, vinyl record collector and roleplay tabletop games enthusiast with designs on training to become a celebrant in the near future.

Eleanor was born and raised in St. Leonards-on-Sea and educated locally. She achieved 19 GCSEs at school before achieving a Triple Distinction Star at Bexhill College in Health and Social Care Studies. She then moved away to Portsmouth to study Childhood and Youth Development at University and achieved a classification of 2:1.

Eleanor joined Towners in 2017 and has enjoys all of the challenges and responsibilities that come along. She works well under pressure and loves the comradery with her colleagues.

Eleanor enjoys travelling, spending time with her friends and family and watching psychological thrillers. She also loves reading, tattoos, cocktail bars, animals and going to restaurants.

Gill came to live in Hastings when she was 5 years old and has remained here ever since, apart from a four year stint living in Ibiza in the early 1980's.  She has been working as a part-time receptionist for Towners since October 2012.  Before that she worked as an Admin Assistant for a local housing association in their Lifeline department, a post she held for 20 years.  Gill is married with two grown up children and a step son.  At weekends Gill and her husband enjoy getting involved with anything the Hastings Old Town has to offer.  Gill's hobbies include going for long walks, doing crosswords, playing Candy Crush and sailing.

Pauline Davies was born in Merstham, Surrey. She began her career in the ambulance service, where she served for six years and met her husband, Tony. Together, they ran a successful greengrocer business in Brockley, London, for 12 years.

In 1985, Pauline and her family moved to Hastings, where she joined A C Towner Funeral Directors in 1989 and has been a valued part of the community ever since. Pauline is the proud mother of one son and grandmother to two grandsons, both of whom are dedicated amateur boxers and skilled mechanical engineers.

Pauline is responsible for dressing all of our coffins by hand. We are very proud that she was one of the first female funeral operatives in the UK and is still with us to this day.