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Steve Hewitt

Non-Executive Director & Former CEO

Gymshark

Birmingham, UK

Steve Hewitt

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd

House of Heydari

Steve’s Biography

Steve Hewitt is a Non-Executive Director and former CEO and Executive Chair of Gymshark, one of the world’s best-known and exciting direct-to-consumer fitness wear labels.

Steve joined Gymshark as an external advisor in 2014, and became Managing Director the following year when he began the process of professionalising Gymshark, laying the foundations for the enterprise’s next stage of expansion.

In 2017 Steve stepped into the position of CEO and led the building up of Gymshark’s senior leadership team. This team oversaw the brand’s exponential growth on a global scale, winning numerous international awards along the way.

Under Steve’s leadership, Gymshark went from being a leading start-up to becoming a global brand with customers in more than 178 countries. In August 2020 Gymshark was valued at over £1bn ($1.3bn) and joined the exclusive list of British companies to achieve “unicorn” status.

After handing back the role of CEO to Gymshark’s founder, Ben Francis, Steve became Executive Chair at Gymshark before stepping back from the business to become a Non-Executive Director... Steve Hewitt is a Non-Executive Director and former CEO and Executive Chair of Gymshark, one of the world’s best-known and exciting direct-to-consumer fitness wear labels.

Steve joined Gymshark as an external advisor in 2014, and became Managing Director the following year when he began the process of professionalising Gymshark, laying the foundations for the enterprise’s next stage of expansion.

In 2017 Steve stepped into the position of CEO and led the building up of Gymshark’s senior leadership team. This team oversaw the brand’s exponential growth on a global scale, winning numerous international awards along the way.

Under Steve’s leadership, Gymshark went from being a leading start-up to becoming a global brand with customers in more than 178 countries. In August 2020 Gymshark was valued at over £1bn ($1.3bn) and joined the exclusive list of British companies to achieve “unicorn” status.

After handing back the role of CEO to Gymshark’s founder, Ben Francis, Steve became Executive Chair at Gymshark before stepping back from the business to become a Non-Executive Director in August 2022.

In 2022 Steve set up advisory company, Whānau. He is Non Executive Chairman & Investor at Passenger Clothing, and Investment Director & Investor at D.Louise, a direct-to-consumer jewellery brand.

Steve has held several senior executive positions throughout his career, including CEO of Sport Brands Group, a specialist in establishing distribution and licensing partnerships with global brands, and commercial director for Reebok, where he spent six years overseeing year-on-year double-digit growth in vital markets in the EMEA region.

Steve is a born leader with a competitive spirit and a knack for fostering purpose-driven and people-centred environments. Furthermore, he has substantial financial modelling experience to push organisational scalability on a global scale; traits and talents that have been crucial to his success. more less

Steve’s Newsfeed

The Industry.Fashion

Former Gymshark CEO invests in affordable jewellery brand D.Louise

Former Gymshark Executive Chair and CEO Steve Hewitt has invested in jewellery brand, D.Louise, and has joined the business as investment director as it seeks to redefine the jewellery industry by creating high-quality, aesthetic jewellery at affordable prices.

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The Sunday Times

Sunday Times 100 2023: Passenger

Steve Hewitt is Chairman and investor at Passenger clothing which was ranked #9 in the Sunday Times list of Britain's fastest growing private companies.

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Steve’s Background

Gymshark

Non-Executive Director & Former CEO

Aug 2022 - Present

Solihull, UK

Gymshark is a fitness accessory and apparel business established in 2012 by Ben Francis. In less than a decade it has grown into a top sportswear brand. The company credits its success to continuous innovation, a strong online presence, and high-quality products.

Gymshark

Executive Chairman

Aug 2021 - Aug 2022

Birmingham, UK

Gymshark

CEO

Apr 2017 - Jul 2021

Solihull, UK

Gymshark

Managing Director

2015 - 2017

Solihull, UK

Sandee Worldwide Limited

Principal Owner

2013 - 2020

Sandee is a leading manufacturer of high-quality and reliable combat sportswear and equipment. The products have been produced exclusively in Thailand for more than 35 years. In August 2020 Steve exited the Sandee organisation and gifted his entire majority shareholding to the company’s existing management team in recognition of all of their hard work in building the business.

Sport Brands Group Limited

CEO

Sep 2012 - Oct 2013

Birmingham, UK

Sport Brands Group was a specialist in establishing licensing and distribution partnerships with international brands. The group carried out seamless distribution plans through trade, retail and e-commerce platforms. The business collaborated with a range of sport channels in order to grow brand equity and increase sales.

Tiger Turf

Managing Director

Jan 2007 - Apr 2012

Hartlebury, UK

Tiger Turf is a global leader in the manufacturing of synthetic grass for sports fields and residential and commercial property. The business,established for over 30 years, has achieved the production of premium and durable turf through many years of research and innovation.

Reebok Europe

Commercial Director - EMEA

Jan 2001 - Dec 2006

Bolton, UK

Reebok is a sportswear manufacturer and distributor. Founded in the UK in 1958, the company is now headquartered in Boston. It became a subsidiary of German sportswear brand Adidas in 2015.

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Steve’s Gallery

Other Business Interests

Whānau Advisory

Founder

Nov 2022 - Present

Whānau Advisory was founded by Steve Hewitt to help entrepreneurs and senior leadership teams build small to medium-sized businesses into global brands. The company donates a percentage of its profits to charities providing housing, mentoring, and supporting healthcare programmes.

Current Board Positions

D.Louise

Investment Director & Investor

Oct 2023 - Present

D.Louise is a fast-growing direct-to-consumer jewellery brand that makes and sells high-quality jewellery at affordable prices.

Passenger Clothing Ltd

Non-Executive Chairman & Investor

May 2023 - Present

New Milton, UK

Passenger is a UK-based, responsible, outdoor clothing brand founded in 2012. The company makes affordable clothing and products for the outdoors that mix style, quality and sustainability. The brand is set to achieve sales of £50m this year.

Media

Speakers for Schools: Steve Hewitt

Video interview

Mar 2022

Steve Hewitt gives a wide ranging interview to Speakers for Schools, including how he became CEO of Gymshark and his leadership ethos.

Publications

The Times

Contributor

To view Steve Hewitt's articles in The Times, click on the link.

Awards & Recognition

The Sunday Times Profit Track 100

Winner 2020

London, UK

Gymshark topped the league in the 2020 Sunday Times Profit Track 100, ranking the UK’s private companies with the fastest growing profits. The company's profits jumped from £1.1 million in 2016 to £18.6 million in 2019.

The Sunday Times International Track 200 Awards

Winner 2019

London, UK

Gymshark took the top spot in The Sunday Times International Track 200 Awards 2019. The leage ranks the UK's mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales.

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Steve’s Education

Manchester Metropolitan University

BA Honours in Business & Sports Management

1991 - 1995