Harold P. Heywood | T. Collins & Son | Wild & Brierley

Darren Clark

Darren was born in Oldham and after leaving school he began a career in accountancy. After some years in that role he decided to have a complete career change and joined Wild & Brierley, Harold P. Heywood and T. Collins & Son has a Funeral Director. Now after 27 years he has become the Managing Director of the three companies. Darren has a wealth of experience in the funeral industry, having arranged and conducted over 2000 funerals, several of which being high profile and large funerals. However, after all these years he still finds his job a challenge, keeping up with the modern approach of today whilst still maintaining the traditional values. He says, ‘not one job over all the years has been the same, that is why I love my job, being a solution to a dignified and peaceful send off for a families loved one’. Outside of work, his main interests are in voluntary work especially with the St. John Ambulance. He joined St. John at the age of 8 years old and is still actively involved having held several appointments, from being a cadet, member, unit manager, area commissioner and finally county commissioner for Greater Manchester, a post he held from 2001-2007. During this time Darren managed and led numerous projects and arguably the most prestigious of which was the first aid coverage of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002. His current role within St John is that of the Chairman and President of the County Priory Group for Greater Manchester. In recognition for his charitable work over many years, Darren was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Greater Manchester. This is a prestigious appointment that he is very proud of and carries out these duties to the very best of his ability. He has this appointment until the age of 75 years. Over the years Darren has received three special awards from Her Majesty the Queen in recognition for his voluntary service to St. John. He was awarded Serving Brother of the Order, Officer Brother of the Order and in 2014 Commander of the Order. When he does get time to relax, Darren enjoys fine wines of the world and city breaks. Darren predominantly looks after Wild & Brierley and T. Collins & Son clients.

Michael Lindup

Originally from Stockport, Michael moved to the Oldham area when his Mum met Darren at the age of 4 years old. Due to the love, support, care and upbringing Darren has provided, Michael see’s him as his Dad. Michael attended two local schools in the Oldham and Saddleworth area. After leaving school he registered on a Pre Uniformed course at Hopwood Hall College, where he wanted to gain experience to join the Police force.  After completing the course he quickly realised that it was only right to follow in his Dad’s footsteps and join the family businesses. He started at the age of 17 years old, initially working behind the scenes assisting his father with the daily running of the businesses. Throughout this invaluable time he gained extensive knowledge of the funeral industry.

In 2014 he was given the opportunity to become a Funeral Director. An opportunity in which he thoroughly admits was the best decision he has ever made. At this time he was probably Oldham’s youngest ever Funeral Director, which arguably is a title he still holds.

Over the past years he has conducted in excess of over 500 funerals including several high profile, military and large ceremonies, but proudly even conducting funerals for his own family. He mixes the modern and traditional approach to funeral directing in accordance with his clients wishes.

Michael is a very driven and conscientious person who always strives for perfection and nothing but the very best for all his clients. He is always willing to give his full commitment to all and prefers to treat all his clients as friends. He is sympathetic, thorough, professional and will go out of his way to make sure the clients special day is as memorable as possible. He says, ‘whilst being a Funeral Director is challenging and emotional at times, it is something I love and will never turn my back on.’ He has received many accolades of gratitude over the time he has been funeral directing with many families commenting that his attention to detail is second to none. He is a true asset to the company now and going forward.

Over the past few years he has developed a Facebook page for the companies, which we are led to believe is now the most successful of its kind anywhere. This enables us to post obituary notices in a modern but professional manner so members of the public are well informed as to funeral details of their friends and families. He has spearheaded much needed refurbishments to our offices, and pushed for this website to done.

Even though outside of work Michael doesn’t follow in his father’s footsteps with the charity work, Michael is kept busy and devotes most of his time to raising his family with his partner Melissa. He has two young daughters who have him wrapped around their little fingers. He devotes his spare time to his daughters making sure he doesn’t miss out on their childhood. Michael’s biggest aim in life is to make sure our businesses become a 3^rd generation family business. The second love in his life is Manchester United. He has been priviledged to see them play at home, away and abroad for many years. Even attending both the FA Cup final and Champions League Final in the famous 1999 treble winning season.

Michael predominantly looks after the clients from Harold P Heywood & Co Ltd.

Mark Travis

Mark’s duties include Driving the Hearse, planning of funeral routes, looking after the fleet of vehicles and many vital tasks that help the companies run smoothly.

He has a military background having completed four and a half years with the First Royal Tank Regiment. He trained at Yorkshire’s Catterick Camp and was then posted to Bovington in Dorset before serving abroad in West Germany and Cyprus.

Married with two children Mark lives locally with his wife Julie and together they run and manage the Oldham Badger Sett for 6 to 10 year old’s, which is a part of the St John Ambulance. He has volunteered for St John for the past 25years.

Mark is very thorough in all he does, and his military background reflects in the impeccable way he presents the fleet of vehicles for funerals.

Jack Chadderton

Jack’s main duty is to drive our Limousine and assist on funerals on a part time basis.

He has been a businessman all his life being very successful in the fruit and vegetable market and latterly his own taxi business.

Three years ago, Jack retired from business and found himself at a loose end with lots of extra time on his hands. We approached him to do a part time job for us and as they say the rest is history.

He is a calm and smart individual and he fits in well with the company. Jack’s main asset to us is his vast knowledge and geography of Oldham and the surrounding areas.

He lives locally in Chadderton and is Married with three daughters. He is also very well known as a man of integrity within the area.

Lesley Wrall

Lesley’s main duty is part time receptionist at our Harold P. Heywood office. She usually works Wednesday to Friday however this sometimes changes.

Born and bred in Failsworth, Lesley is well known throughout the area.

Lesley was originally a client of Harold P. Heywood, unfortunately losing her Mother and Father in close succession. Lesley was approached to work with Michael at Harold P. Heywood after they gained a very good relationship. This is testament to the relationships we build with our clients.

After a career mainly in the clerical and administration sector, she brings a wealth of clerical experience and a systematic approach with all she does. She is hard working, sympathetic and empathetic at all times. Lesley is naturally a caring person and she often above and beyond to help people who are in need of a little support.

Diana Clark

Born in Stockport and spending most of her formative years there. Diana then moved to the Oldham area when she met Darren, through St John Ambulance.

Since meeting Darren, Diana has always had an involvement within the business, but became full time 7 years ago after losing her Mum. The loss made her realise that she wanted to make a difference to the companies. Before joining the team, she was a Care Home Manager for two Residential homes in the Oldham area. Even though she is a Director of the three companies, Diana’s main duties include processing accounts, clerical work and greeting families. She is mainly based at the Wild & Brierley office.

Diana has just the one Son in Michael whom she says, ‘I am very proud of his accomplishments in work and out of work.’ Michael is no longer a top priority ever since her two granddaughters Isla and Ivy came along.

Outside of work her down time is mostly spent as a family with her son and grandchildren. She also enjoys visiting Garden Centre’s and cleaning.