The Association of Independent Celebrants is led by a team of experienced celebrants and staff members. The AOIC team comprises the presidential executive, directors, staff and patrons, who all meet regularly to discuss key matters affecting the celebrant profession. We also work closely with other organisations such as the NAFD and SAIF.
We also have a team of AOIC regional representatives assigned to each area of the UK, available to give advice and support to members in those areas. If you’re a member, please feel free to contact your regional representative whenever needed.
The AOIC Board of Directors is made up of celebrant volunteers who work hard to ensure that the AOIC is running effectively for its members.
The AOIC Presidential Executive
Debi Robinson
Second Vice President
Tel: 07808 011391
AOIC Staff
AOIC Patrons
Kate Edwards
Kate Edwards is Past President of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and maintains a pivotal role driving standards within the funeral profession. As an AOIC patron she acts as an ambassador for celebrants and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. Kate is always on hand to guide us on changes taking place within the profession, ensuring we can keep our members up to date at all times.
Vanessa Harding
Vanessa Harding is an award-winning wedding planner and co-founder of wedding and event company, Harding & Co. As a wedding planner she is a huge advocate of celebrants and the importance of creating meaningful and memorable ceremonies. Vanessa keeps us updated on key happenings within the wider wedding profession and works hard to represent celebrants within it.
AOIC Directors
The AOIC began trading as a registered Limited Company by Guarantee in 2020 (Association of Independent Celebrants Ltd – Company Number 12330102). The directors responsible for the company business are AOIC members Wayne Evans, Lynn Parker, and David Wylie.
David Wylie
David hails from Dartford, in Kent, and initially trained at the UK College of Celebrancy. He conducts funerals, weddings, namings, renewals, and other bespoke ceremonies. David has been an AOIC director since 2020.
Wayne Evans
Wayne is a working celebrant from East Yorkshire and has been a director of the AOIC since 2020. He is a retired police officer and ex Royal Air Force, and has extensive experience working with bereaved families.
Jo Stott
Jo Stott of ‘Love Jo’ Ceremonies is a qualified celebrant based in County Durham. She joined the board of directors at the AOIC in 2025 and is very excited to be involved with developing the ever-growing association.
Lisa Newman
Lisa is a qualified funeral celebrant, based in Wigan. She is a practising Buddhist and is a lover of poetry, never short of an appropriate passage for her ceremonies. She has been an AOIC director since 2025.
Lynn ‘Pinky’ Parker
Lynn is based in Hertfordshire where she works as a funeral celebrant. She loves her job, loves meeting people and talking about people in a positive way. Lynn has been a director of the AOIC since 2024.
Honorary Members
The committee also likes to recognise the work of individual members who have given loyal and outstanding service to the AOIC by awarding them with a ‘Honorary Membership’ upon their retirement. We are delighted to have the following honorary members:
Philip Spicksley
Philip stepped down as Chair of the AOIC and retired from celebrant work in 2022. In his 10 years as Chair, Phil worked tirelessly to speak up for celebrants across the funeral and wedding professions and was always on hand to support fellow members. Even in retirement, Phil remains an active supporter of the AOIC and its members, and we thank him sincerely for his many years of hard work.
Harry Foster
Harry retired from celebrant work in 2019. During his membership he served for many years on the Committee and served as AOIC President for over 2 years.
Malcolm Desborough
Malcolm retired from his work in spring 2020 having moved to the West Country to be closer to family. He worked tirelessly for the Association in many ways whilst on the AOIC Committee.