Meet the Team

Anthony’s career in the funeral profession began in 1986, working with his father-in-law, John Gillott, at Gillott’s Funeral Service. When the two family businesses merged in 1992, Anthony became a partner and played a key role in rebuilding the Heanor premises into the modern, high-quality facilities we have today.

Anthony holds the Diploma of Funeral Directing and is a qualified member of the British Institute of Embalmers. His extensive experience and passion for the profession make him an invaluable part of the Gillotts team.

The funeral profession has been a part of Joanne’s life since childhood. As Barry and Elaine’s oldest daughter, she grew up living above the family’s Eastwood funeral home and began helping out during school holidays from the age of 17.

After completing her university studies, she joined the business full-time, eventually becoming a funeral director and a partner in 2001. Joanne, a former tutor for the National Association of Funeral Directors, is deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of the profession. She is a compassionate leader who is dedicated to ensuring every family receives the support and care they need.

Alison; Barry and Elaine’s younger daughter, also grew up within the business. While she initially pursued a career in Human Resources in the public sector, she returned to the family firm in 2006.

As the Business Administration Manager, Alison, an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, ensures the smooth running of the business behind the scenes. She brings a modern, professional approach to her role, all while upholding the core family values that define Gillotts.

For more than 25 years, Helen has been a dedicated funeral director at our Heanor funeral home. Her calling to the profession began at age 16, and despite early advice to pursue other caring roles, she persisted. She started with us as a receptionist in 1996 and, after earning her Diploma in Funeral Directing in 2000, became a funeral director.

Helen is passionate about helping families navigate their grief, and she is a trusted and caring presence for the community she serves. She considers it a privilege to work with families and ensure their loved ones receive the send-off they deserve.

Danni is a qualified funeral director who has been with Gillotts since 2016. She sees her profession as a “job for life,” a role where she gets to comfort people and hear the stories that make each life unique.

Danni is passionate about the work that happens behind the scenes, ensuring every detail is meticulously handled. She builds a personal connection with each family, which allows her to offer meaningful advice and support, helping them to create a tribute that is truly personal.

Hannah began her journey with Gillotts in 2022, inspired by the compassionate care she received from a funeral firm after her father’s death. She sees her work as a true calling, a profession where she gets to hear stories of lives well-lived and help families create a fitting tribute.

Hannah works closely with families to ensure every detail, no matter how small, is a personal and heartfelt expression of love. She believes the process of arranging a funeral is just as important as the funeral itself.

Amanda joined the team in March 2015 and is a key part of our Heanor funeral home. As a Funeral Arranger and Administrator, she provides compassionate support to families.

Amanda holds her Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration, a testament to her dedication to providing professional and respectful care to every family she works with.

Since 2010, Claire has been a valued Funeral Arranger and Administrator with Gillotts. Starting at our Kimberley location and now based at our Eastwood funeral home, she is dedicated to guiding families through the funeral planning process.

Claire obtained her Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration in 2015. She is committed to ensuring every detail is handled with care and compassion.

Julie joined the team in May 2023 and plays a vital role in creating beautifully personalised materials for families. She is responsible for designing and producing all in-house Funeral Stationery and compiling the photo slideshows that celebrate a loved one’s life.

Additionally, Julie meticulously handles the administration of donations in memory, ensuring that all generous contributions collected on behalf of the deceased are managed with accuracy and care.

Zowie joined Gillotts in early 2024 and is based at our Selston funeral home. As a Funeral Arranger and Administrator, she is often the first point of contact for families needing support.

Zowie is dedicated to creating a welcoming and calm environment, using her compassionate approach to guide families through the initial planning stages and handling the essential administrative details required to arrange a fitting farewell.

Kirstie joined the Gillotts team in September 2023 as a Funeral Arranger and is based at our Kimberley funeral home. For many years she personally handled the sensitive planning of the funeral service, but she had desires to help families navigate the entire emotional journey.

In 2025 Kirstie started conducting funerals, providing a familiar, guiding presence on the day of the funeral. Her unique dual role allows her to deliver the tribute exactly as planned, offering continuous compassion and support from the first phone call through to the final farewell.

Ashley, Tim and Steve are an integral part of our out-of-hours team. At any time, one of them will be representing Gillotts whilst our offices are closed in order to attend and transfer into our care someone who has passed away in the community. 

During the working day they also work alongside a team of others who drive our funeral vehicles, convey coffins on funerals, bring into our care those who have passed away in hospital, and at the end of the working day ensure that the fleet is clean ready for the next funeral.