Benjamin David Francis MBE
Benjamin David Francis MBE is the co-founder, CEO and majority owner of Gymshark, the fitness apparel brand he started in 2012 at 19 while studying at Aston University. The British billionaire built Gymshark from his bedroom into a global empire.
Benjamin David Francis MBE's Bio
Benjamin David Francis MBE (born 4 June 1992) is the co-founder, CEO and majority owner of Gymshark, the fitness apparel brand he launched in 2012 from his parents' garage. He attended South Bromsgrove High School and briefly studied at Aston University before leaving to focus on Gymshark.
Francis displayed entrepreneurship early, selling personalized car number plates as a teenager and working as a Pizza Hut delivery driver while at university.
Gymshark started as a supplement drop-shipping site; after thin margins, Francis and co-founder Lewis Morgan pivoted to apparel. The breakthrough came at the 2013 BodyPower expo, where a tracksuit went viral and generated £30,000 in sales. Francis quit university and Pizza Hut.
He scaled Gymshark through early YouTube fitness influencer partnerships. By 2015 Gymshark was earning multi-million pound revenues; Francis stepped back from CEO to become chief marketing, brand and product officer.
A £5m headquarters opened in Solihull in 2018, followed by a branded gym in 2019. In August 2020 General Atlantic bought a 21% stake, valuing Gymshark at over £1bn; Francis retained 70% and became a billionaire. He returned as CEO in 2021; Gymshark now sells in 130+ countries with nearly $1bn revenue.
Francis's recognitions include Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe (2018), EY UK Entrepreneur of the Year (2020), and an MBE (2023). He married Robin Gallant in 2021; they have twin sons (born 2022) and a third child on the way.
Career Timeline
2010 — Enrolled at Aston University
Studied international business and management before dropping out in 2012 to focus on Gymshark.
2011 — Pizza Hut delivery driver
Worked evenings earning £5/hour while studying at university.
2012 — Founded Gymshark
Started as a supplement drop-shipping business from his parents' garage in Bromsgrove, England.
2013 — Committed to Gymshark full-time
Left university and Pizza Hut after the BodyPower expo tracksuit went viral, generating £30,000 in 30 minutes.
2015 — Stepped down as CEO
Transitioned to Chief Marketing, Brand and Product Officer to bring in experienced leadership and scale operations.
2018 — Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe
Listed in the Retail & Ecommerce category recognizing Gymshark's rapid growth.
2020 — EY UK Entrepreneur of the Year
Awarded for outstanding entrepreneurial achievement.
2021 — Returned as CEO of Gymshark
Resumed chief executive role to lead global expansion, now overseeing 130+ countries and nearly $1bn in revenue.
2023 — Appointed MBE
Made Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to the business sector.
