Meet the Team
Our team is at the heart of everything we do. Each member of our staff shares the same commitment to providing care and guidance during life’s most challenging moments. From our owners to our office support staff, we’re here to ensure that every detail is handled with compassion, empathy, and professionalism.
Annissa
Monumental Masonry
Administrator
Joined the team in: 2017
Annissa will be most people’s first point of contact when getting in touch with J.Gumbrill. She will guide you through the process of choosing the memorial you want and will be able to answer your questions and explain the technicalities involved. She will liaise with the burial authority and complete their paperwork on your behalf.
Fun Fact: Annissa initially came to work for J.Gumbrill on a six-month temporary contract, and has never left!
Richard
Monumental Mason
Joined the team in: 2009
Richard is our senior mason. He has years of experience in installing memorials, and renovations and will be your port of call if you have technical questions about how your memorial is fixed. He is on the register of the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM) Register of Qualified Memorial Fixers, meaning his work meets British Standard BS8415. He also holds the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons Fixer License.
Fun Fact: Richard and Marley (his canine assistant) together have over 23 years’ service at Freeman Brothers and J.Gumbrill.
Daniel
Monumental Mason
Joined the team in: 2020
Daniel is always on hand to assist Richard with jobs which require more than one pair of hands and cover when he is on leave. He is adept at renovations and loves making an old memorial look like new. Like Richard, he is a NAMM Registered Qualified Memorial Fixer. He recently passed his theory test for the BRAMM Fixer License and will take his practical soon.
Fun Fact: Daniel once ran a grounds maintenance company, but finds it even more worthwhile repairing headstones than driveways or garden walls.
Abi
Manager
Joined the team in: 2007
Abi manages J.Gumbrill on behalf of the Freeman family, she also covers for Annissa when she is on holiday.
Fun Fact: Even before she worked for the company, Abi loved visiting cemeteries and often makes a trip to at least one when she is on holiday.
Wilf
Funeral Director and Monumental Masonry Administrator
Joined the team in: 2023
Even before starting working for his family’s business full-time in 2023, Wilf has always been interested in the company’s operations, especially memorials. He covers for Annissa when she is on holiday but is also an effective spare pair of hands for Richard and Daniel for our largest jobs which require more than two people to install safely.
Fun Fact: During his gap year, Wilf had the choice to spend three months travelling in southeast Asia. Instead, he spent six months working for J.Gumbrill!
Marley
Mason's Assistant
Marley can often be found sitting quietly in the J.Gumbrill van, waiting for his owner Richard to drive them somewhere. He is a very good boy who likes chasing squirrels and is beloved by cemetery staff across J.Gumbrill’s wide area.
Fun Fact: Marley’s favourite treat is crunchy chicken Yumms!
Our Letter Cutters
Our team of lettercutters are true craftsmen who have over 85 years of experience in their field.
Rob started working at a stonemasons in the 1970s and then undertook a five-year apprenticeship. After completing work on the Portsmouth Naval Falklands War Memorial, he was commissioned to work on the Chichester Cathedral Restoration Project- a job he describes as ‘technical and high pressure’, which honed his skills to the highest level. This enabled him to undertake important work including for our current King when he was Prince Charles.
Paul trained as a fine artist and then began a lettercutting apprenticeship. He has worked on many prestigious projects including carving and gilding the National Portrait Gallery’s signage above Tracey Emin’s doors when the building was renovated, as well as the re-opening plaque unveiled by Catherine, Princess of Wales. He describes his work as interesting and varied, encompassing heraldry, gilding, etching and handcutting fonts and carvings.
Both Rob and Paul enjoy the opportunity to use their professional training and extensive experience to create distinctive, meaningful memorials for J.Gumbrill’s clients.
Paul, adding texture to a heraldic carving on site.
Work to Southwater War Memorial, in situ. Names are carefully ‘marked out’ before they are added to ensure consistency of this historic landmark- here, this has taken place and now the inscription is starting to be cut.
Rob, hand carving a customer’s tablet in our workshop.
At the heart of everything we do is a genuine commitment to ensuring your experience with us is nothing short of exceptional. Our team is deeply passionate about our craft, taking pride in delivering not only the highest level of monumental masonry but also a truly caring and personalised service. We believe that every interaction matters, and we strive to create a warm, welcoming environment where your needs are met with expertise, respect, and dedication. Our customer satisfaction is our priority, and we’re here to make sure you feel supported every step of the way.
