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Ben Francis MBE

Founder & CEO

Gymshark

Birmingham, UK

Ben Francis

Praetura Ventures

Mark Edward Partners

Ben’s Biography

Ben Francis MBE is the CEO, founder and ambitious entrepreneur behind leading fitness brand, Gymshark.

In December 2020 Ben was voted EY's UK Entrepreneur of the Year. Earlier that year, Ben struck a deal with General Atlantic that valued Gymshark at more than £1bn. The valuation means that Gymshark joins the list of less than 25 British companies to have secured 'unicorn' status since 2001.

Ben founded Gymshark when he was 19 years old and still a student at Aston University. He famously juggled his full-time studies with working as a pizza delivery man in order to fund his Gymshark venture.

The business has grown from an operation in Ben’s garage to one of the most recognised fitness brands in the world. The company credits its success to a strong online presence, continuous innovation and a commitment to producing high-quality performance wear.

Ben was Chief Executive Officer of Gymshark until 2015 and applied his expertise in business, social media marketing, sales and fashion and market research, as well as his understanding of the value of collaborating with social... Ben Francis MBE is the CEO, founder and ambitious entrepreneur behind leading fitness brand, Gymshark.

In December 2020 Ben was voted EY's UK Entrepreneur of the Year. Earlier that year, Ben struck a deal with General Atlantic that valued Gymshark at more than £1bn. The valuation means that Gymshark joins the list of less than 25 British companies to have secured 'unicorn' status since 2001.

Ben founded Gymshark when he was 19 years old and still a student at Aston University. He famously juggled his full-time studies with working as a pizza delivery man in order to fund his Gymshark venture.

The business has grown from an operation in Ben’s garage to one of the most recognised fitness brands in the world. The company credits its success to a strong online presence, continuous innovation and a commitment to producing high-quality performance wear.

Ben was Chief Executive Officer of Gymshark until 2015 and applied his expertise in business, social media marketing, sales and fashion and market research, as well as his understanding of the value of collaborating with social media influencers in order to grow visibility. He continued to use these skills in executive roles at Gymshark until August 2021 when he once again took on the role 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.

Recognised for his contribution as a young entrepreneur, Ben was nominated as one of Forbes 30 under 30 in Retail and E-commerce in 2018, the same year Gymshark’s revenue hit $120 million. In 2016 Gymshark was confirmed as one of the UK’s fastest-growing companies by Fast Track in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list. In January 2023 Ben Francis was awarded an MBE for services to commerce and economy. more less

Ben’s Newsfeed

Gentleman's Journal

The UK’s top 55 young entrepreneurs

Ben Francis, Founder & CEO of Gymshark, was among Gentleman's Journal's list of the top young entrepreneurs in the UK.

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The Daily Mail

Gymshark founder, Ben Francis, receives his MBE at Windsor Castle

Ben Francis, founder and CEO of Gymshark, was awarded his MBE for services to the business sector. Click on the link to view the full article.

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Ben’s Social Media

Ben’s 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’s 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 winning Fast Track award

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 winning Fast Track award

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 | Ben Francis

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

Gymshark’s CEO Ben Francis has gone from sewing T-shirts in his mother’s garage to helming an e-commerce fitness fashion ‘unicorn’ in under a decade.

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

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

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's Entrepreneur Of The Year UK has been celebrating, supporting and connecting entrepreneurs since it first launched in the UK over 20 years ago. Reflecting on the award, Ben says he was: “Proud and humbled to be the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 UK winner at what is an incredibly exciting time for Gymshark.”

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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’s Education

Aston University

Business and Management