Within a matter of weeks, we sat together to celebrate one colleague's wedding day, sharing in the joy of a new chapter filled with hope, commitment and love. We also then stood together to say goodbye to our Managing Director, Jamie.
It would seem remiss to have our “What’s new at Frank” section not mention these two key events. The occasions were very different, yet they carried a common thread. Both were reminders of the relationships that shape our lives, the moments we share, and the lasting connections we build with one another.
Jamie was a leader, mentor and friend whose impact on all of us will be felt for years to come. He led the team for nearly 10 years and transformed the company into a thriving business. He's given us all so much - not just livelihood, but opportunity, culture, support and a place to work that is more family than anything else. Our thoughts and wishes are with Suzie (his wife, our colleague and friend), his son Joseph and all the family.
We produced a website where his family and friends could post tributes to him. I wanted to share extracts from some of the tributes from our staff here below, as our words reflect the man he was to us at Frank. Reading through the tributes, certain themes appeared again and again; Jamie's generosity, his humour, his belief in people and his hand in shaping the culture of Frank.
While each person remembered him differently, the overwhelming message was the same: he made a lasting difference to the lives of those around him.
As we return to the day-to-day business, we do so carrying both memories with us. Here's to cherishing the people around us, and being thoroughly, Frank.
Jamie Wise, by Frank
We're all so lucky to have known Jamie.
He really was at the heart of something special in Frank, and we'll forever be thinking of him as we carry that forwards.
Personally, he was one of the people helped me through some of my toughest times. Even as small as the smallest things - he didn't have to do them, but he wanted to do them, and he would always do them. As a manager, a colleague, a friend, he was always someone you could trust.
I'll forever be remembering the Great Manchester Run of 2025 where so many people came together, and his ambition and strength had us reaching heights that I thought were never possible. I set us out with the 'ambitious' goal of raising £1000. By the time Jamie had hold of it, we'd got that goal in less than 24 hours. "I think we should do £10,000", Jamie said. Madness has overtaken him, surely... Well we actually raised over £17,000 in the end, so who was the mad one in the end? That was really one of those moments that made me realise something that Jamie was all about, that the sky is the limit if you really believe in something.
And to think that maybe none of that would have happened, had he not listened to me when I tried to negotiate my graduate salary on the only actual job offer I had. Many would've laughed, pinched the pennies... but Jamie didn't. Jamie heard me, and you could always put faith in him to make it work.
Thank you for everything mate, you're going to be sorely missed ❤️
I’ll always remember the first time I met Jamie. He came into the Frank office all those years ago, and I had no idea who he was or why he was visiting. All I knew was that someone was coming in to help us with sales.
He made a point of coming around and introducing himself to each of us individually....He had a way of making everyone feel comfortable from the moment they met him.
Jamie was the best boss I've ever had. He was kind, compassionate and approachable, with a warmth and energy that naturally brought people together. No matter how busy he was, he was never above getting involved in even the smallest things if it meant helping the team.
I remember one Christmas party when he said to me, "You can do anything if you set your mind to it." Those words have stayed with me ever since because they summed up exactly who Jamie was. He believed in people, often before they believed in themselves.
Jamie was the captain of our ship. He leaves behind an incredible legacy, and he will be missed more than words can ever express.
Thank you, Jamie, for everything you did for us as a team, and for me.
Jay and I had a strong friendship over a 10 year period. We spent an awful lot of time travelling around the country, spending hours in cars, on trains, and even on boats. It was all very exciting, and yes, even in a work setting, fun. But Jay literally never sweat the small stuff, he was about family, friends, music and football.
Jay was an eternal optimist, I’ve never met someone who was so positive about everything. I am a dour Northerner, and his positivity even spread to me. We’d spend hours listening to music, discussing politics (despite our huge differences we actually agreed on a healthy amount of things), and of course football. But I always left his company feeling better about life.
Not having Jay around, for me, has been quite profound. It’s incredibly rare to meet someone who is both a peer, an inspiration and a friend. Someone you could literally talk to about anything and feel safe in doing so. Ultimately Jay is irreplaceable, which is why we should all be incredibly honoured to have spent time in his company.And besides, who am I going to quote Paul Calf and Layer Cake to now…
Jay was first my best friend’s husband, then over the years he became a friend to me, and eventually someone I was lucky enough to work alongside.
One of the things I’ll remember most about Jay was how he listened and loved a chat! He had great advice and was so easy to talk to.
I remember all those walks to school when the boys were in Reception. Jay would always start a conversation with, “What do you think about…?” He was genuinely interested in my opinion and somehow those conversations could end up going anywhere. News, sport, work, life and, of course, he did enjoy a bit of girly gossip too!
I particularly remember one of those walks when Jay told me he was going to get involved with his friend’s company, Frank. Fast forward a few years and I have been working alongside him at Frank for more than five years. I feel incredibly lucky that our friendship carried on into my working life too.
We had our walks down to the Common, which nearly always ended with us walking into town for a cuppa and another chat. I feel incredibly lucky to have known Jay in all the different ways I did.
There are some people who come into your life and leave you with memories, and then there are people who become part of your story. Jay will always be a part of ours.
Suz and Joe meant the world to Jay - Less than 2 weeks before you closed your eyes you messaged me ‘look out for my gorgeous and kind wife xx love Jay.
I promise you I will ❤️
You will be so very missed, Jay x
When you think about someone and an image of them pops up in your head, what’s their expression like? Whenever I think of Jamie it’s always an image of him with a massive beaming smile, because that’s what he was always doing. One of the most positive, friendly and approachable people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, he always had time for everyone and genuinely cared when he asked how you were doing or what you’d been up to.
I was lucky enough to have him as my boss for 10 years at Frank and will always appreciate everything he did for us all. He was a one of a kind guy and just not what you’d imagine a Managing Director to be like.
He wanted to get the best out of everyone and his encouragement and kindness were appreciated by us all. He and Suz were even there to celebrate with me and my husband on our wedding day. Thinking of all of your family and friends. You will be missed xx
Lots of people can ‘do’, some people can ‘manage’ few people can ‘lead’. Jamie was one of the ‘few’, a born leader here at Frank. His drive for a secure business, his determination to provide opportunities for us all and his vision on how we were going succeed were clearly laid out and defined at the start of his time with Frank. A pleasure and honour to work for and with over the last 10 years, during which time he has become a close and well-loved friend, confident and mentor, a truly caring person.
Very few people have left Frank since Jamie's arrival, this along with the massive feeling of loss, both on a personal and work-related level is Jamie's legacy.
I and the rest of the Frank team will fondly talk about Jamie often and continue the work at Frank to make him proud of everything he has influenced and help achieve.
‘Thanks’ doesn’t seem enough Jamie, I miss you mate.
I hadn’t known Jamie for as long as many commenting here and it’s impossible to do justice to him in just a few sentences. However, I can say that he was consistently kind, thoughtful and positive. He was always invested in the wellbeing of others and made sure that everyone felt comfortable. Jamie is definitely missed and he's made an impact on a lot of people - I'm glad we're all able to keep fond memories of him with us.
Jamie wasn’t a boss, or a Managing Director - he was a leader, a friend and an inspiration.
Jamie and Alex together created culture of friendship and family at Frank. When I came to work for them as a contractor 6 year ago, it was supposed to be temporary thing. But within about a week, I knew that what they had built was where I wanted to be. He always said “Frank is about the people” and it was his positivity, openness and commitment to caring about staff that made it work. .. He was so open and without judgement. In our chats, I never felt like I had to hide who I was.
He made me feel like I could do anything. He listened to my ideas, he never dismissed anything and usually let me try whatever it was I had in mind. He had a way of respecting what you were saying, whilst also pushing you to think bigger. He gave me a freedom I had never had at work before.
The love that Jamie had for Suzie, Joseph and all his family came through strongly even though I usually saw him in a work environment. In our conversations about family, I got the sense that he was really passionate about being a good husband and father. He often asked astute questions and seemed to really consider the answers. He always said "family first" which is something we will continue to remember at Frank.Jamie, thank you for changing my life forever by taking a chance on me. Thank you for seeing me. There have been so many times that I wish I could have asked for your opinion. Your wisdom, strategic foresight and gentle kindness is so greatly missed. But the culture you have built isn’t going anywhere. You gave us the footsteps to follow. We will remember you often, your voice echoing in our ears. You’ll always have a place at Frank xxx
Jamie was one of the kindest and most approachable people I've had the pleasure of working with. As Managing Director, he created an environment where people felt valued, supported, and respected.
Before joining Frank Design, I had almost given up on the idea of having a happy and fulfilling career. Working here for the last nine years completely changed that for me. I have felt far more supported here than anywhere else I've worked, and I know many others feel the same.
The fact that so many people stay with the company for years says a lot about the culture Jamie helped create. His positive impact on both the company and the people who work here will be a lasting legacy.