SAIF Golden Charter

A lifetime dedicated to compassionate service

For more than five decades, Clive Leverton has dedicated his life to helping the bereaved during their greatest time of need.

This year, Clive’s commitment was officially recognised when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Good Funeral Awards.

Starting at Leverton & Sons when he was just 16, Clive has been instrumental in growing and innovating the family business with genuine care and passion. His wealth of experience and knowledge has proved invaluable to all that work with him. Working up to becoming a Director alongside brother Keith, father Ivor and uncle Chris, he has carried out many funerals throughout his career.

In 1989, Ivor and Chris retired completely, leaving Keith and Clive to modernise the business. In the same year, SAIF was formed and Clive played a leading role as a founder member and Honorary Secretary.

In 1997, Clive was entrusted with the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. He and Keith were appointed to the Royal Household in 1991, and have also carried out the funerals of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.

Aged 73, having officially retired from Levertons nearly three years ago, Clive is still very much involved in supporting the firm but also the profession itself.

Andrew Leverton said: “Clive has supported many of the Levertons staff that work with us today. His commitment and drive to be ethical and client-focused in all that we do has given staff and colleagues someone to be inspired by. The longevity of staff staying at Levertons is in part testament to the leadership provided by Clive.

“Clive has been instrumental in professionalising independent funeral directors. He is still secretary to this day and volunteers his time to support other members and growing SAIF, which has more than 800 members. Not only did he help to establish and grow SAIF, he was also part of the creation of Golden Charter, now the biggest independent plan provider in the UK.”

Clive has also been Chairman of the St Pancras Welfare Trust for 20 years, a charity that provides grants to local residents in Camden in real need.

Andrew added: “Clive is a man that gives, and he gives selflessly. To receive this award provides the recognition he so deserves for his lifetime of contribution to the profession. In all the above he has been loyally encouraged by his wife Jean who was also a funeral director for 25 years, running one of Levertons’ branches.”

There was even more reason to celebrate at the Good Funeral Awards 2017, with Levertons also picking up the Most Eco-Friendly Funeral Director Award this year. This award is primarily the result of commissioning the first all-electric eco-hearse in the UK, pioneered by Clive in 2013.