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Ben Francis MBE

Founder & CEO

Gymshark

Birmingham, UK

Ben Francis

Aldo Garbagnati

Emicapital Group

Ben Francis’ Biography

Ben Francis MBE is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of leading fitness brand, Gymshark. In 2020 Gymshark secured a deal with General Atlantic that valued the company at over £1bn, making it one of the few British businesses to achieve 'unicorn' status since 2001.

Ben started Gymshark when he was just 19 years old, while he was still a student at Aston University. He famously juggled his studies with working as a pizza delivery boy in order to fund his Gymshark venture.

Since then, Gymshark has grown from a small operation in Ben’s garage to become one of the world's most recognised fitness brands. The company attributes its success to its strong online presence, continuous innovation, and commitment to producing high-quality performance wear.

Ben was CEO of Gymshark until 2015, utilising his expertise in business, social media marketing, sales, fashion, and market research. He also understood the value of collaborating with social media influencers in order to increase visibility. After stepping aside as CEO, he continued to use these skills in executive roles at Gymshark... Ben Francis MBE is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of leading fitness brand, Gymshark. In 2020 Gymshark secured a deal with General Atlantic that valued the company at over £1bn, making it one of the few British businesses to achieve 'unicorn' status since 2001.

Ben started Gymshark when he was just 19 years old, while he was still a student at Aston University. He famously juggled his studies with working as a pizza delivery boy in order to fund his Gymshark venture.

Since then, Gymshark has grown from a small operation in Ben’s garage to become one of the world's most recognised fitness brands. The company attributes its success to its strong online presence, continuous innovation, and commitment to producing high-quality performance wear.

Ben was CEO of Gymshark until 2015, utilising his expertise in business, social media marketing, sales, fashion, and market research. He also understood the value of collaborating with social media influencers in order to increase visibility. After stepping aside as CEO, he continued to use these skills in executive roles at Gymshark until August 2021 when he once again took on the position of CEO.

He studied Business and Management at Aston University but decided to stall his studies in order to dedicate more time to Gymshark. Prior to founding Gymshark, Ben also developed iOS apps, two of which made it into Apple's fitness charts.

Ben’s achievements as a young entrepreneur have been widely recognised. In 2018 he was nominated as one of Forbes ‘30 under 30’ in Retail and E-commerce, the same year Gymshark’s revenue reached $120 million. In December 2020 Ben was named EY's UK Entrepreneur of the Year, and in 2022 he was awarded an honorary degree by Aston University in recognition of his achievements in business.

In January 2023 Ben Francis was appointed an MBE for services to commerce and the economy. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Ben Francis’ Newsfeed

The Times

Ben Francis: These companies make me proud to be a UK entrepreneur

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Forbes

Gymshark New York Store Set To Open On Bond Street This Year

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Ben Francis’ Social Media

Ben Francis’ Background

Gymshark

Founder & CEO

Aug 2021 - Present

Birmingham, UK

Founded by Ben in 2012, Gymshark has grown into a leading sportswear brand and in 2020 acheived 'unicorn' status after being valued at over £1 billion. The business credits its success to a strong online presence, continuous innovation and high-quality performance wear.

Gymshark

Chief Product Officer

Jul 2020 - May 2021

Birmingham, UK

Gymshark

Chief Marketing Officer

Aug 2019 - Jul 2020

Birmingham, UK

Gymshark

Chief Brand Officer

Jul 2015 - Jun 2018

Birmingham, UK

Gymshark

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Jul 2012 - Jul 2015

Birmingham, UK

Manière De Voir

Co-Founder & Director

Dec 2013 - Apr 2018

Birmingham, UK

Manière De Voir is a premium clothing and accessories fashion brand based in the United Kingdom. The unisex clothing range is designed in-house with a focus on garment construction, innovative and sustainable fabrics, customised prints and unique finishings.

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Ben Francis’ Gallery

Ben Francis and Gymshark shipping container

Ben Francis at Gymshark Distribution Centre

Gymshark's Sweaty Selfie campaign for NHS

Ben Francis at No 10 Downing Street

Ben Francis signing $1billion deal

Sky News announcing Gymshark £1bn deal

Ben Francis outside distribution centre

Ben Francis and Gymshark shipping container

Ben Francis at Gymshark Distribution Centre

Gymshark's Sweaty Selfie campaign for NHS

Ben Francis at No 10 Downing Street

Ben Francis signing $1billion deal

Sky News announcing Gymshark £1bn deal

Ben Francis outside distribution centre

Media

The Diary of a CEO | Ben Francis

Video podcast

Dec 2021

Ben shares his wisdom with Steven Bartlett and talks about his journey from pizza delivery boy to CEO of one of the fastest growing and most exciting companies in the world.

Talks at GS

Video podcast

Oct 2021

London, UK

Ben Francis talks to Goldman Sachs about how he set up Gymshark at the age of 19, and his ambitions for the company.

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Interviews

Ben Francis charts Gymshark’s journey from bedroom business to billion pound valuation

Interviewee

Mar 2023

Ben Francis talks to the Gentleman's Journal about his ups and downs as founder and CEO of Gymshark.

The Interview: Gymshark founder Ben Francis on his ambitious vision for retail

Oct 2022

Ben Francis spoke to TheIndustry.fashion about what 19 year old Ben,who had just founded Gymshark, would say today.

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Features

GQ Heroes | Ben Francis interview

Nov 2021

In less than a decade, Ben Francis, the CEO of Gymshark, has gone from sewing T-shirts in his mother's garage to leading a highly successful e-commerce fitness fashion company.

Forbes Daily Cover Story | Ben Francis

Dec 2020

Ben Francis, a former pizza delivery boy, used TikTok and Instagram to build Gymshark into a billion dollar sportswear brand.

Publications

"Britain is an amazing place to start a business"

Author

Jun 2024

London, UK

Ben Francis wrote an Op-Ed piece for The Times in support of the UK as an amazing place to start a business.

Sunday Times 100 2023

Author

Jun 2023

Ben Francis, founder of Gymshark, offers his advice to Britain's 100 fastest growing private companies.

Awards & Recognition

Drapers Power 100

Honoree

Ben has been recognised by Drapers as one of the 100 most important people in fashion retail in 2023 and 2024.

Aston University

Honorary Degree Awardee

Apr 2022

Birmingham, UK

Ben Francis was awarded an honorary degree by Aston University in recognition of his entrepreneurship and outstanding business achievement.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

UK Winner

2020

London, UK

EY Entrepreneur of the Year UK celebrates exceptional business leaders, recognising their innovation, vision, and contributions to the economy, and encouraging entrepreneurial excellence across the United Kingdom.

Forbes 30 under 30 - 2018

30 Under 30 - Europe - Retail & Ecommerce

2018

Forbes 30 under 30 is a list issued annually by Forbes magazine that recognises leaders, innovators and trailblazers in various industries that are under the age of 30.

The Sunday Times Profit Track 100

Winner 2020

London, UK

The Sunday Times International Track 200 Awards

Winner 2019

London, UK

The Sunday Times Fast Track 100

Winner 2016

London, UK

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Charitable Interests

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity

Patron

Jun 2021 - Present

Birmingham, UK

In June 2021 Ben became Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity’s first-ever Patron. Driven by his desire to give back to his community, Ben will help the charity improve the lives of women, babies, children and families, both in Birmingham and further afield.

Sweat for your NHS Campaign

In April 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Gymshark raised £180,000 for the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital by encouraging people to ‘sweat for the NHS’. The company donated £5.00 for every 'sweaty selfie' posted to social media, enabling the hospital to buy vital medical equipment and continue their life-saving work.

Ben Francis’ Education

Aston University

Business and Management