About Frank James Director
On February 14, 2025, Frank James was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer and a Director of GraceKennedy Limited.
A dynamic and people-focused leader and strategic thinker, Frank is well-known for his financial acumen, tenacity and drive, and solutions-oriented approach. He is deeply committed to upholding GraceKennedy’s values of honesty, integrity, trust, commitment, humility, and respect.
Since joining the Group in 2005 as Vice President of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development for the then Information Services Division, Frank has held several leadership roles, playing a key part in GraceKennedy’s growth and success. In December 2006, he became Principal of GK Investments, now known as GraceKennedy Financial Group. In April 2010, he was seconded to GK General Insurance Company (formerly JIIC) as a member of the Management Team. Later that year, in November 2010, he joined GraceKennedy’s Corporate Finance and Accounting Department as Principal, and was appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer in July 2011.
As Group Chief Financial Officer and Director of GraceKennedy Limited from 2012 to 2019, Frank played a pivotal role in shaping key financial strategies that bolstered the Group’s performance. He also successfully led several strategic transactions for the group including acquisitions, divestments, capital structuring and raising.
In 2019, he became CEO of GK Foods Domestic, driving significant growth in sales and further solidifying the Grace brand, while taking the division to record levels of profitability. Under his leadership, the Company modernized its manufacturing and supply chain operations, enhanced the look and feel of its Hi-Lo supermarket chain, and advanced its Environmental, Social and Governance agenda toward a more sustainable future, focusing on environmental responsibility, social impact and responsible products and services.
Beyond the numbers, Frank’s leadership is driven by people. He believes strong teams build strong businesses, and his open-door policy and hands-on leadership style reflect that. Whether he’s on the ground in a manufacturing plant, listening to the ideas of GK team members, or engaging with customers, he leads with a genuine belief in collaboration, empowering others, and building trust.
A proud Wolmerian, Frank holds an MBA in Finance from UCLA Anderson School of Management, a B.Sc. in Management Studies and Accounting (First Class Honours) from The University of the West Indies and is a CFA charter holder.
He currently serves on the GraceKennedy Limited board and several subsidiary boards. He is also a Trustee of the GraceKennedy Limited Pension Schemes.
Frank has also contributed significantly to national development in the private and public sectors. He previously served as a Vice President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and represented the PSOJ on the Government of Jamaica’s Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC). He also served on the Trade Policy Committee of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association and as a Board Member of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE).
Outside the boardroom, Frank is deeply committed to his faith, family, and community. He actively contributes to the transformation agenda of the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands. He previously served as a Trustee of the Codrington Trust of the Anglican Province of the West Indies and is currently a Lay Reader & Chalice Bearer at St. Andrew Parish Church.
He is married to Stacy, and together they are raising three wonderful children.