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Ben Francis

Founder & Owner

Gymshark Ltd

Birmingham, UK

Ben Francis

Blue Dunes Growth

Ben Francis’ Biography

Ben Francis is the founder and ambitious entrepreneur behind leading UK 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 2017 and applied his expertise in business, social media marketing, sales and fashion, market research, as well as his understanding of the value of collaborating with social media influencers in order to grow visibility. He now uses these skills in his role as Gymshark's Chief Product Officer.

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.

Ben’s talent for building start-ups is evident in his contribution as Co-Founder and Director of sleek fashion brand, Manière De Voir.

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 Newsfeed

European Business Magazine

Gymshark: The Fitness Brand Phenomenon

When Ben Francis created Gymshark out of his bedroom in his parents’ house, he never imagined that he would revolutionise fitness apparel forever.

BWC Charity announce Ben Francis as first-ever Patron

Gymshark founder Ben Francis has become Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity’s first-ever patron. The patronage honours the British entrepreneur’s passion for the NHS, his desire to help those in need as well as his love and enthusiasm to promote Birmingham to the world.

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Ben’s Social Media

Ben’s Background

Gymshark Ltd

Founder & Owner

Jul 2012 - Present

Birmingham, UK

Gymshark is a UK fitness, apparel and accessory company established by Ben Francis in 2012. It has since 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.

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.

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

How You Can Scale Your Business | Ben Francis

Speaker

Mar 2020

Ben Francis talks about how Gymshark went from being a 'lifestyle' business with a small team, into the large professional business it is today, employing over 400 people.

How You Can Grow Your Business | Ben Francis

Speaker

Sep 2019

In this video Ben Francis talks about some of the things he has learnt from Gymshark's growth, and some top, actionable tips that he'd give to anyone looking to build their own business.

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Awards & Endorsements

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.”

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

Gymshark were top of the league in the 2020 Sunday Times Profit Track 100. The Profit Track 100 ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest growing profits. Gymshark’s profits have rocketed from £1.1m in 2016 to £18.6m in 2019, on sales of £176.2m.

The Sunday Times International Track 200 Awards

Winner 2019

London, UK

Gymshark was ranked No. 1 in The Sunday Times International Track 200 Awards 2019. The International Track 200 ranks Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales.

The Sunday Times Profit Track 100

Awardee 2019

London, UK

Gymshark was ranked 2nd in the Profit Track 100 Awards 2019.

The Sunday Times Fast Track 100

Awardee 2019

London, UK

Gymshark was ranked 10th in the Fast Track 100 Awards 2019. The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 is a list compiled by Fast Track and published by the Sunday Times annually. It ranks Britain’s fastest growing private companies based on their sales over the latest three years.

The Sunday Times Fast Track 100

Awardee 2018

London, UK

Gymshark was ranked 12th in the Fast Track 100 Awards 2018.

The Sunday Times Fast Track 100

Awardee 2017

London, UK

Gymshark was ranked 12th in the Fast Track 100 Awards 2017.

The Sunday Times Fast Track 100

Winner 2016

London, UK

Gymshark was ranked No. 1 in the Fast Track 100 Awards 2016.

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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.

Ben’s Education

Aston University

Business and Management