Month: June 2019

Keeping you informed - about all things ex-pat

Golden Leaves lands internationally recognized business excellence accreditation

The Golden Leaves organisation is now the ONLY independent funeral planning company operating in the sector to hold such a quality standard.

In a sector that has taken significant steps over the last few years to improve and professionalize its operational activities and business practices, Golden Leaves has worked tirelessly to achieve a business excellence standard that once again highlights its standing in the sector as a quality and trusted brand with impeccable pedigree.

BSI ISO:9001 is not only recognised internationally as the world’s most widely adopted Quality Business Excellence Standard and Management System, but is also considered to be a powerful business improvement tool.

The Golden Leaves organisation is now the only independent funeral planning company operating in the sector to hold such a quality standard, adding this to their ever growing list of quality credentials clearly demonstrates the organisations desire to deliver business operational excellence as standard.

The business is not taking too much time to celebrate and has already embarked on its next British Standards Institute accreditation – the Consumer Service Kitemark.

Barry Floyd – Golden Leaves Managing Director commented:

“We are extremely proud of what the business has achieved over the past 18 months, this BSI standard being just one such accolade in a long list of outstanding achievements. With our founder, Tony Rowland, being awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen, the company winning a London based business award and being shortlisted as a national finalist in the prestigious Amazon/Santander growing business awards, launching a new ground-breaking suite of guaranteed funeral plan products and landing a renowned business quality standard – you can see that we have had busy and extremely successful year.

In addition, the fact that we are still experiencing continued and steady annual growth in terms of sales, when the entire market had delivered a 15% contraction in its figures, only underscores the extremely healthy position of the business. As we move into year three of our five year strategic transition plan, we are currently delivering on all of our milestone KPI’s. There are also a number of developments and important announcements in the pipeline for the coming months.”

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If you would like more detailed information about all of your options, use the contact form on this page. Alternatively, phone us on the following numbers:

Call us FREE on 0800 85 44 48 (UK) 8000 98 309 (SPAIN) or +44 208 684 34 64 if calling from anywhere else outside the UK

Keeping you informed - about all things ex-pat

Golden Leaves founder awarded an MBE

The founder of South London based funeral planning firm Golden Leaves, has been awarded an MBE in the latest Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

“Tony Rowland, founder of Golden Leaves Funeral Plans and Chairman of Rowland Brothers International (RBI), has been awarded an MBE for ‘services to undertaking and to the community’ after supporting bereaved families through grief for 65 years.”

Tony apprenticed at WA Truelove funeral directors at the age of 15 and then returned to the family company to bring new ideas and energy to Rowland Brothers. In 1971 he created a worldwide network and support structure for the efficient and compassionate repatriation of the deceased, who sadly pass whilst on holiday or working overseas, as well as citizens of other counties who died in the UK.

Part of Tony’s impressive work includes the development of the Rowland Brothers Foundation, which provides free bereavement counselling and practical help to all in his local community and the beloved Chairman and family man has also given back to the profession he loves. Tony served as the Chairman of the Southern District of the London Association of Funeral Directors and as the president of the London Association of Funeral Directors in 1996. He also served on the executive of the LAFD for 10 years in the 90’s. Tony is also a highly regarded member of the International Order of the Golden Rule – an organization of funeral directors selected for their very high levels of service.

The company has assisted in many emergencies, including the return of all the UK citizens who died in the South Asia tsunami, the 9/11 and 7/7 bombings and extreme weather emergencies. It is also an official supplier to the British Olympics and provides the repatriation helpline for the NAFD. Golden Leaves has grown to become one of the most respected and ethical funeral planning brands operating in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Barry Floyd, Managing Director of Golden Leaves said: “Tony is thoroughly deserving of his award through his initiatives to bring local communities together, whilst offering continued support for families in their time of need.”

“A real community champion, Tony embodies the compassion and commitment that the funeral service industry strives to maintain, and I am extremely proud to work alongside him.”

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Any more Questions?
We’re here to help

If you would like more detailed information about all of your options, use the contact form on this page. Alternatively, phone us on the following numbers:

Call us FREE on 0800 85 44 48 (UK) 8000 98 309 (SPAIN) or +44 208 684 34 64 if calling from anywhere else outside the UK

Keeping you informed - about all things ex-pat

A Comfort in sad times

A message from Michel Euesden, owner of the Euro Weekly News

I do not offer endorsements lightly, but in the case of Golden Leaves International it was an easy decision to reach.

Sadly, 2018 saw loss of close friends and this really struck home to me what a tremendous difference it can make at a highly emotional and stressful time, if there are no worries about funeral arrangements.

For those people who have recently arrived in Spain – and many longer-term residents – a death in the family can leave them at a complete loss as to what to do. Who do you phone? What paperwork needs to be done? What is the first step to take?

As I dwelt on the added stress of these factors in a sad and difficult process, I began thinking about what alternatives were.

My thoughts went to the time when my husband Steven and I had the honour to be invited to the British Embassy by the ambassador to meet Prince Charles and Camilla.

There we not only met royalty, but also one of the most affable and likeable men you could wish to meet – Barry Floyd.

Like us, he had been invited as a result of his charitable work. When we started chatting, I discovered he was Managing Director of Golden Leaves. We immediately built up a mutual respect.

It was through him that I met Emma Quantrill, who had been running her own business in Mojacar (Almeria). She rapidly went from offering Golden Leaves’ services through her own business to being their Operations Director for Spain.

As my mind turned to funeral plans, I decided to try them first hand and so contacted Golden Leaves to investigate further. I could not have had a warmer welcome.

There was no pressure to buy – simply a straightforward, friendly chat with an explanation of the plans they have to offer. All the staff are an absolute credit to Golden Leaves.

I was impressed – so much so that both Steven and I invested in a plan. Now I know that when the inevitable happens, my loved ones will not have the added worries of arranging and paying for the funeral arrangements.

One call to Golden Leaves will be all that is needed – they will take care of the rest at any time of the night or day

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Any more Questions?
We’re here to help

If you would like more detailed information about all of your options, use the contact form on this page. Alternatively, phone us on the following numbers:

Call us FREE on 0800 85 44 48 (UK) 8000 98 309 (SPAIN) or +44 208 684 34 64 if calling from anywhere else outside the UK

Keeping you informed - about all things ex-pat

Health Insurance in Spain

Mr & Mrs Proctor (let’s say for identity purposes) came into the Javea office to speak with Victoria for Health Insurance. They had taken early retirement and decided they wanted to relocate to Spain. Mr & Mrs Proctor did their research beforehand and thought that the EHIC (emergency medical card) would be enough.

After a near miss, they realized how important it was to put things into place. one of them being private health care. Victoria talked with Mr & Mrs Proctor regarding their personal circumstances, all pre-existing conditions and plans in the future.

The excellent policy was best for their situation and includes no co-payments, GP and specialist appointments, emergency surgery and any hospital visits, along with annual Wellman and Wellwoman checks. This is the top level for the cover we have on offer and is approximately €900 annually per person. However, as this was not required for residency, they opted to pay by monthly instalments on a direct debit at a slightly extra cost.

“We took early retirement and moved to Spain. We knew that we would need to arrange our health cover and after looking at many options, we went to Golden Leaves. Victoria was very helpful and knowledgeable and discussed the different options they had. After talking with Victoria, she set us up on a policy that met our needs perfectly.”

If you find you are in a similar situation, or have a holiday home here in Spain, Victoria will be able to talk you through your options and guide you as to what suits your personal requirements.

For further information, please contact Victoria on
966 493 082, or email;
victoria.appleton@goldenleaves.com

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Any more Questions?
We’re here to help

If you would like more detailed information about all of your options, use the contact form on this page. Alternatively, phone us on the following numbers:

Call us FREE on 0800 85 44 48 (UK) 8000 98 309 (SPAIN) or +44 208 684 34 64 if calling from anywhere else outside the UK

Keeping you informed - about all things ex-pat

How I became a resident of Spain

Mr Smith (let’s say for identity purposes) popped into our Javea office after seeing our advert in the Euro Weekly News. He had concerns in becoming a permanent resident in Spain with all the chaos surrounding Brexit.

Victoria, our private Health and Residency specialist discussed Mr Smith´s situation at some length. She was able to establish his personal circumstances and give him the best possible option. What we advised for him follows:

To take out private health cover, which he had to pay 1 year up front to obtain his residency certificate, the best option for Mr Smith was the middle of our 3 policies – the Premium, costing approximately €800 annually. Victoria then went on to book Mr Smith his residency appointment in Benidorm at the Oficina de Extranjeros.

Victoria provided a list of documents required for residency at the Benidorm office. Please note these can change depending on the variables.

In general, these documents are:

  • Padron certificate (proof of address)
  • Bank Certificate (proof of income)
  • Private Health Care Certificate
  • NIE

Victoria also completed the application and payment forms on his behalf to present to the office during his meeting with them. We did give Mr Smith the option to take a translator to help with the appointment at a small charge. He decided not to take this option, as he felt that, in his case, it would be an easy task, having our help to prepare beforehand.

“I went to Golden Leaves to ask for help with my residencia application. Victoria sat with me and went through everything that is required for the application and answered all my questions clearly. Victoria gave me all the information I needed, as well as guiding me through the process and making the appointment for me. Victoria also went through the details of the Private Health Insurance that I needed for the residencia application. She gave me a detailed explanation of the covers and provided the right cover for my needs. I was very happy with the service from Victoria and, thanks to her, I was successful in gaining my residencia.”

If you have any enquiries, or would like any assistance in this matter, please call Victoria on 966 493 082, or email;
victoria.appleton@goldenleaves.com

and she will be able to talk you through the item as a whole and advise what is the best option for your circumstances.

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Any more Questions?
We’re here to help

If you would like more detailed information about all of your options, use the contact form on this page. Alternatively, phone us on the following numbers:

Call us FREE on 0800 85 44 48 (UK) 8000 98 309 (SPAIN) or +44 208 684 34 64 if calling from anywhere else outside the UK

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Golden Leaves International - A helping hand for over 30 years

Contact Us on: Tel. 0034 966 493 082 | Mob. 0034 603 531 417 | Outside the UK + 44 20 8684 3464
Javea Office: Avenida De La Pla 123 – 125, Edificio Caribe, Local 1, Javea 03730, Alicante
Company Reg. No: B98627813

Golden Leaves Limited, trading as Golden Leaves International, is a funeral plan provider and credit broker and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.  Firm Reference Number 960923.  You can check this on the Financial Services Register. Golden Leaves SL provides wealth management, legal services and insurance services acting as an insurance distributor for service providers.  Registered with the Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones (DGSFP), reference number C0448B98627813.  You can check this on the DGSFP Register at http://rrpp.dgsfp.mineco.es/Mediador.

© Copyright Golden Leaves 2024

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