F.A. Albin & Sons' is one of Bermondsey's oldest and most respected family businesses. With a history that dates back over 200 years, it began with a single funeral parlour in Snowsfield; the horses stabled in Fendal Street. Later, new shop premises were opened at 62 Jamaica Road, Bermondsey (where Barry grew up). By the early 1950’s, the company had acquired a fleet of motorised funeral vehicles. The first vehicles were bull-nosed Daimlers and Rolls Royce Hearses and limousines. In 1974 the company moved to its current premises in Culling Road, SE16 under the stewardship of Fred Albin.  Barry and his young family lived above the premises. Barry took the business over from Fred Albin in 1986 and today the company has a network of branches covering South East London and Kent.

At this event, Barry will share his memories of F.A. Albin & Sons' growth in tandem with the changes that have shaped Bermondsey into the diverse cultural hub it is today. In conversation with Greg Watts, he will also discuss his latest work, Square Pegs In Round Holes, an inspirational book on how one can cultivate a successful business and how business lessons can also be applied to life. To book your place, please call 02074079316 or use the online form below.

Barry Albin-Dyer OBE runs F.A.Albin & Sons, one of London’s oldest family funeral businesses, based in Bermondsey. He has written several books, including Don’t Drop the Coffin, the subject of a six-part fly-on-the-wall ITV series in 2003. In his latest book, Square Pegs in Round Holes, Barry reveals how to be successful in business. How do you get started? What makes a dynamic leader? How do you create team spirit? What’s the best way to make your company stand out from the rest?  In this inspiring and entertaining book, he takes a fresh approach to these and other questions, and shows that many lessons in business can also be applied to life.

Bermondsey author Greg Watts worked with Barry on both Don’t Drop the Coffin and Square Pegs in Round Holes. His other books include biographies of Rembrandt, Mother Teresa and former gangsters.  He also teaches journalism and creative writing.