Design Group UK announces death of long-serving account manager
The death of greeting card and stationery stalwart Murray Sim has been announced by IG Design Group, where he spent 25 years as an account manager.
Affectionately known as Muzza to many at Design Group UK, Murray died aged 56 on 9 October with the company’s in-house tribute saying he “passed away peacefully with his family by his side”.
The tribute from Adrian Coates, commercial director nationals and export, and Ian Davies, commercial director trade and independents, on behalf of the DGUK senior management team, added: “Throughout his illness Murray remained remarkably positive, always smiling, and using his cheeky sense of humour to make everyone else feel at ease. He was, and will remain, an inspiration of how to face up to the worst life can throw at you.”
Murray’s death from cancer has inspired his nieces and nephews to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support with the four each pledging to run, walk, cycle and swim 100 miles during October with a £1,000 target – and they’ve already blown that to have raised £2,285 so far via their Miles For Murray JustGiving page.
The message on the page stated: “Sadly, our uncle Murray lost his long and inspiring battle with cancer and, as a result, has not only inspired us but the entire family to maintain a positive outlook on life and demonstrated the impact a positive family can truly have.”
Having entered the industry following his father Derek’s lead – who also spent over three decades in greeting card publishing and was co-owner of Ling Design during that period – Murray started at Celebration Arts in 1987 before moving to Henry Ling for two years then subsequently joining Scandinavian Design in 1998, which was part of the International Greetings family that eventually rebranded to IG Design Group in 2016.
Known for his love of crazy ties which he always wore to Spring Fair, Murray started with the company as part of the “new team of commercial musketeers” developing and growing the Collection Range for trade and wholesale customers, covering the Midlands and up to his home turf of Scotland.
He also worked as part of the national accounts team managing the bigger customers and “remained at the heart of our trade team where his calm approach and experience always shone through”.
The proud Scot always joined in the annual Six Nations rugby banter and, after much ribbing as the Bravehearts have yet to win the competition, he celebrated quietly when Wales – where Design Group UK has its main factory complex – lost heavily to Scotland in this year’s tournament.
A keen and talented golfer, Murray was very much a family man and loved keeping his DGUK colleagues updated on the progress of his girls Lauren and Kristen at school and university, and his wife Anna has “remained amazingly strong” at his side.
Ian and Adrian added: “On behalf of IG Design Group, we offer Anna, Lauren, Kirsten and all his family our condolences and sympathy at this time.”
Murray’s funeral is taking place on Monday, 30 October, at 10.45am at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium.
