Fourth-generation family funeral director recognised at business awards
Winchester City Council has awarded the Millennium Egg to Iain Steel, company director at local funeral director Richard Steel and Partners, at the 2025 Winchester Business Excellence Awards.
The Egg recognises individuals and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to the economy of the district. It was presented to Iain by Winchester City Council Chief Executive Laura Taylor at the award ceremony on Thursday 20 June in Winchester Cathedral.
Richard Steel and Partners has been serving Winchester, Bishop’s Waltham, Alresford and Meon Valley for over 160 years, and is one of the region’s longest established family businesses: it is still under family ownership after four generations. The company directly employs over 30 staff and has also remained committed to sourcing services and supplies locally, doing their bit towards helping businesses within their community thrive.
Iain first joined the business as a teenager nearly 40 years ago, working alongside his father Richard. Since taking the reins as company director, Iain has led and developed the business, including the use of Chesil House as a prestigious riverside venue for funeral services and family gatherings. The company opened an Alresford office opened in 2021 to better serve families in the Arle and Candover valleys.
Iain is an avid supporter of the local community with direct involvement in a number of Winchester charities. As trustee of Winchester Hospice, he took on the challenge of trekking across the Sahara in November 2024, raising money for this local charity – and he also donated to the regeneration of St Maurice's Covert.
This year, he has been instrumental in establishing the inaugural Legacy Action Week in Winchester and is already working on 2026, helping Winchester charities benefit from local bequests in wills.
Iain Steel, Company Director at Richard Steel and Partners, said: “Our family business has been serving Winchester and the wider Hampshire community for four generations since 1860.
“We are proud to be one of the longest established private businesses in the city to remain in the same family ownership, and recognition of our work within the local community means everything to everyone associated with our company, both current and former staff. Each generation has dedicated themselves to helping the city, both professionally and through charitable and community involvement”.
Laura Taylor, Chief Executive of Winchester City Council, said: “It is an honour to present our lifetime achievement award to Iain Steel of Richard Steel and partners, a fourth-generation family business that has been a mainstay of the Winchester district economy for over 160 years, serving our residents across the district, from Bishop’s Waltham to Alresford and between.
“Not only committed to providing compassionate and exceptional care in the business, using local suppliers where possible, Iain is well known for his commitment to the local community, with active involvement in a number of Winchester charities including St John’s Ambulance, Trinity Winchester and Winchester Hospice, as well as being Chair of Winchester Theatre Trust.
“Iain and his team are a valued addition to our district’s business community and the way in which they serve our residents – with compassion, professionalism and dedication to the community – make them a truly worthy recipient of this year’s award.”
The Millennium Egg, a crafted ornament, was originally donated to the council by Jeremy France of Jeremy France Jewellers.
The annual Winchester Business Excellence Awards are organised by the Hampshire Chronicle in association with Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
Winchester City Council also sponsored the Sustainable Business Award which was presented on the night to Stem and Green Flower Farm by the Leader of the council, Councillor Martin Tod.