A ‘Coming Home’ Story About Family and Business

From the early days, the Franchi name has been synonymous with quality. The founding father is Guerrino Franchi, who in 1970 created the company in the shadow of the Victorian gothic masterpiece that is St Pancras station, London. In only six years, the business had grown significantly and was operating out of three stores in north London.

A new direction with Marco Franchi

A new direction

In 1996, Guerrino’s son Marco created a specification division, located in the then half-empty Chelsea Harbour, Design Centre. This ambitious new venture introduced the Franchi brand and its association with high quality into the professional market of Interior Designers, Architects and property developers. From then on, the Franchi family began supplying luxury door hardware to professionally specified projects as well as client-led residential schemes.

Studio Franchi is born

In recent years, the Franchi family starting making plans to return to the roots of their specification business. Bucking the trend of cutting back business activities during a global pandemic, by creating a best-in-class studio at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Working with established manufacturing partners of the previous 50 years, the studio presents some of the most breath taking and exclusive ranges in the world.

Meet Our Core Team

Marco Franchi CEO

Marco Franchi

CEO
Studio Franchi is Marco’s brainchild, born out of his passion for the family business and goal of returning Franchi Plc to the pinnacle of the industry. A personal coming home story having launched Franchi International at Chelsea Harbour 25 years ago. His charisma & work ethic has earnt immense recognition across the industry, this has led to his recent appointment as group CEO.
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Ben Marshall business development manager

Ben Marshall

Business Development Manager
Ben is leading the Studio Franchi project and has 20 years of experience working in various elements of the construction industry. In 2005, Ben launched and went on to manage the award-winning and game-changing resource studio for design professionals Material Lab. More recently, he has built excellent relationships with architect, designer, developer and luxury domestic clients in specification consultant roles.
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Susan Wavamunno studio hostess

Susan Wavamunno

Studio Hostess
Sue has 5 years of experience working within the ironmongery industry prior to joining Franchi in February 2021. She is the Studio Hostess, supporting the team with their administration needs and facilitating in the day-to-day running of the studio.
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Amin Nezam technical consultant

Amin Nezam

Technical Consultant
Amin Nezam is a residential ironmongery and doorset specialist and has been with Franchi for over 30 years. Amin is responsible for delivering projects from initial concept to practical completion and spends most of his time generating and developing new business for Franchi as well as coordinating and delivering projects to end user.
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Peter Hutchins technical consultant

Peter Hutchins

Technical Consultant
Peter has over 30 years’ experience and is a qualified Architectural Ironmonger. He has extensive knowledge of all aspects of door hardware ensuring the latest standards and certifications are adhered to. His time in the industry guarantees that he can fulfil your requirements through from design to finish.
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Paul Wyatt director, digital and marketing

Paul Wyatt

Director | Digital & Marketing
Paul has 30 years’ knowledge of bespoke manufacturing, glazing, acoustics, door controls and automatic doors. Spending the majority of his time advising architects and designers on all aspects of ironmongery specification. Paul has led on the design and development of the Franchi Architectural Ironmongery website and more recently has been appointed as Digital & Marketing Director.
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Andrea Tadeo technical consultant

Andrea Tadeo

Technical Consultant
Andrea represents Franchi in the North of England. She brings with her over 25 years of experience in the ironmongery industry, in sales, estimating, procurement and technical knowledge. She successfully ran her own business for over ten years and has also spent time on the educational committee for the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and achieved her dip Gai status.
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Lucas Singh product development and technical sales consultant

Lucas Singh

Product Development & Technical Sales Consultant
During his 11 years in the architectural ironmongery industry, Lucas has been working alongside architects and interior designers creating hardware, washroom and access control specifications as well as bringing their bespoke designs to life. Lucas also believes he can help the next generation progress within the industry by being a valued member of the GAI Education Committee.
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Jack Mason associate director, operations

Jack Mason

Associate Director | Operations
After achieving a degree in Business Strategy, Jack worked with a number of companies as a consultant gaining experience in this field. In March 2020 Jack joined Franchi under the title of ‘Business Analyst’ and now ‘Associate Director | Operations’, driving growth and improvement in operations throughout the group.
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Louisa Franchi interior designer

Louisa Franchi

Interior Designer
Louisa has 20 years of experience within the interior design sector, having completed significant projects from the briefing stage to successful delivery on site during her time at ID:SR as Associate Partner. Her straightforward approach and wide industry knowledge have gained her significant respect as a fit-out specialist and she is now beginning a new adventure heading up Franchi Design.
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Neil Holmes director, sales and specifications

Neil Holmes

Director | Sales & Specifications
Neil has over 25 years of sales management experience within the architectural ironmongery industry. More recently Neil has been specialising in setting up and managing global sales teams, as far afield as Australia and Singapore. Joining Franchi in March 2021 Neil's remit will be to drive specification sales growth through the A + D community and through Studio Franchi.
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Steve Hanley business ambassador

Steve Hanley

Business Ambassador
Former professional rugby player for Sale sharks who represented England and the Barbarians. Post rugby headed up the Sale Sharks commercial team and can now be found working as a business development consultant for Franchi.
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Services

With working from home an increasing trend, the studio welcomes clients and encourages them to make use of the studio as an extension of their own workspace. Discrete meeting rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi and refreshments are just some of the facilities offered.

The knowledgeable and friendly studio team are happy to assist with the following:

Studio Franchi product selection service

Product Selection

Provide the brief, the studio team will deliver a carefully curated offering.

Studio Franchi interior design service

Interior Design

How does the hardware work with the rest of the design scheme?

Studio Franchi trends service

Trends

what is hot right now? Knurling, rose gold, contemporary vs classic.

Studio Franchi sampling service

Sampling

Samples available for loan for project use such as client approval.

Studio Franchi ergonomics service

Ergonomics

The tactile sense and what it means.

Studio Franchi technical advice service

Technical Advice

Lever handles vs knobs, pocket doors, fire ratings and much more.

Studio Franchi safety and standards service

Safety and Standards

Consideration for fire ratings, accessibility and durability.

Studio Franchi complementary hardware service

Complementary Hardware

Continuity between lever handles, knobs, furniture and more.

visit Studio Franchi

Visit Studio Franchi

Best-in-class studio in Design Centre,
Chelsea Harbour

Need Help?

If you would like to speak to someone, please call us to discuss your needs, alternatively you can email us at this address or by using the link.

Phone
+44 (0) 20 3696 8626
Email