A new era for Rowland Brothers International

Rowland Brothers International (RBI) is entering a new era following a series of senior appointments across the Rowland Brothers Group, marking an important evolution for one of the United Kingdom’s longest-established dedicated international repatriation specialists.

The new leadership structure sees Steve Rowland appointed Group Chairman, Joe Walkling Rowland appointed Managing Director and Tony Rowland MBE take on the role of Brand Ambassador. Together, the appointments represent both continuity and progression: preserving the values, experience and personal service that have defined Rowland Brothers for generations, while bringing renewed focus to the future growth and development of the Group and its international operations.

Steve Rowland – Group Chairman

As Group Chairman, Steve continues to provide strategic leadership and stewardship across the Rowland Brothers Group, drawing upon decades of experience within the family business and funeral profession. His role will focus on the long-term direction of the Group, supporting its leadership team and ensuring the principles upon which Rowland Brothers has been built continue to underpin its future.

Joe Walkling Rowland – Managing Director

As the new Managing Director, Joe assumes responsibility for the day-to-day direction, growth, and evolution of the Rowland Brothers Group. His focus is on streamlining the organisation, strengthening its existing operations, developing international relationships, and creating new opportunities and partnerships for the future. For Rowland Brothers International in particular, this means building upon 55 years of specialist international repatriation experience while further developing relationships with insurers, assistance companies, and international partners around the world.

Tony Rowland MBE – Brand Ambassador

Tony Rowland MBE moves into the role of Brand Ambassador, continuing to represent the history, values, and reputation of the Rowland Brothers name.

His role will see him champion the standards of care, professionalism and personal service that have been passed through generations, while continuing to represent the business and the heritage behind one of the UK’s longest-established family funeral organisations.

55 years of international expertise. Over 150 years of care

The new appointments represent the latest chapter in a story that began in 1873. For more than 150 years, Rowland Brothers has cared for bereaved families. For the past 55 years, Rowland Brothers International has specialised in international repatriation, developing the knowledge, global relationships and operational expertise required to bring people home from across the world with dignity, precision, and care.

For our insurance and assistance partners, precision, communication, accountability, and efficient timing are fundamental

Today, RBI operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, working alongside insurers, assistance companies, funeral directors, and international organisations to manage repatriations to and from the United Kingdom.

The scale and complexity of international repatriation have changed enormously during RBI’s history. The principle behind the service has not. Every repatriation represents a person, a family and an organisation placing their trust in us. Behind every flight booking, document, consular requirement and international transfer is a family experiencing one of the most difficult moments of their lives. That understanding has shaped the way Rowland Brothers has operated for generations – and it remains fundamental to the direction of RBI under its new leadership.

Precision that goes beyond promises

International repatriation leaves little room for error. Documentation, identification, regulatory requirements, consular procedures, airline arrangements, and international transportation must all come together accurately and efficiently, often across multiple jurisdictions, time zones and under considerable time pressure.

For our insurance and assistance partners, precision, communication, accountability, and efficient timing are fundamental. RBI’s BSI-accredited management systems provide an independently audited framework supporting the precision, attention to detail and operational efficiency with which our international cases are managed.

Our processes are structured, documented and subject to external scrutiny. From the initial instruction and opening of a case through to documentation, mortuary care, embassy and consular liaison, transportation and final handover, our approach is built around consistency, traceability, efficiency, and continual improvement. This is particularly important within the insurance and assistance sector. Our partners operate in a highly compliance-driven environment where accurate information, documented processes, transparency, and dependable turnaround times matter. We believe the organisations entrusted with representing them should operate with the same mindset.

Our BSI accreditation therefore represents more than a badge. It provides our partners with the reassurance that the systems supporting our service are independently and externally audited, and that our focus on precision, detail and efficiency is embedded within the way we operate.

International repatriation, from first call to final destination

RBI provides a comprehensive international repatriation service, managing cases from the first notification through to the safe arrival of the deceased at their final destination. Our team coordinates worldwide repatriation to and from the UK, including documentation, mortuary care, embassy and consular liaison, airline and flight arrangements, road transportation, UK reception, and onward transfer.

Technology, aviation, and international communications have transformed repatriation during RBI’s 55-year history

Our 24/7/365 operation means assistance is available whenever a case arises, while experienced case coordinators provide continuity and accountability throughout the repatriation process. Alongside our international network, RBI benefits from the infrastructure and funeral expertise of the wider Rowland Brothers Group. This allows us to combine the capabilities, compliance and responsiveness expected of a modern international repatriation specialist with the personal understanding and attention to detail developed through more than 150 years of caring for bereaved families.

Global reach. Personal responsibility

Technology, aviation, and international communications have transformed repatriation during RBI’s 55-year history.

One thing, however, has remained constant: personal responsibility for every person entrusted into our care.

“That principle sits at the heart of Rowland Brothers International, and as we enter this new era, it is something I personally intend not only to continue, but to progress. We are enormously proud of our heritage, but heritage alone does not guarantee the future,” said Joe.

“My responsibility as Managing Director is to take the standards, relationships and personal service that have been built over generations and continue developing them to meet the expectations of the modern international insurance and assistance market. That means listening to our partners, embracing innovation, continually improving our processes, and looking at how we can make an already complex repatriation journey simpler, faster, and more transparent for the organisations and families who depend upon us. Our relationships have always been central to RBI’s success. I intend for them to remain at the centre of our future.”