Searle & Taylor design manager raises thousands for charity in memory of colleague

Gavin Alexander, design manager at Winchester-based kitchen retailer Searle & Taylor, took part in the 1.4-mile 2026 Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim from Bournemouth to Boscombe in June to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. He entered the event to raise awareness of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in memory of his former colleague and friend, Daniel Munt, who died suddenly while walking his dog in February this year at age 53. 

Gavin has been the design manager at Searle & Taylor for more than 23 years working with owner and MD, Darren Taylor. During that time, he became good friends with Dan, who ran DJM Builders and who latterly worked with Searle & Taylor as the chief installation manager of the luxury kitchen and home refurbishment business. 

For this Pier to Pier Sea swim, which took place in the June heatwave, Gavin was supported by Dan Munt’s widow, Pam and their 3 adult children, Meghna, Duggie and Honey, who were at the finish line on Boscombe beach to congratulate him on his achievement. He completed the swim in 48 minutes 20 seconds and he has so far raised more than £4,600 in tribute to his former colleague.

Darren Taylor, MD of Searle & Taylor, said: “I am incredibly proud of Gavin’s incredible achievement. He took it upon himself to quietly raise thousands of pounds to pay tribute to Dan, who worked with us both for many years and was also my best friend since school. Dan was a talented and meticulous installation expert, and I am very pleased that we now work with his son, Duggie and daughter, Honey, who were both trained to be professional installers by their father.

“We are a small and tight-knit team at Searle & Taylor and Dan was both a respected colleague and a true friend. His unexpected passing came as a terrible shock to all of us, and Gavin has already raised more than £4,600, but he hasn’t finished yet. Any small amount will make a difference to help fund research into ischaemic heart disease and his Just Giving page is still open if anyone reading this would be kind enough to donate.” 

Gavin Alexander’s Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/gavin-alexander-1