Ben Francis
{{short description|British businessman (born 1992)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ben Francis
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}}
| image = Ben Francis in 2022.jpg
| caption = Francis in 2022
| birth_name = Benjamin David Francis
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|06|04|df=y}}
| birth_place = West Midlands, England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education = South Bromsgrove High School
| alma_mater = Aston University (dropped out)
| occupation =
| known for = Co-founder, CEO and majority owner of Gymshark
| title =
| term =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| boards =
| spouse = {{marriage|Robin Gallant|2021}}
| partner =
| children = 2
| parents =
| relatives =
| website = {{url|benfrancis.com}}
}}
Benjamin David Francis {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}} (born 4 June 1992) is a British businessman. He is the co-founder, CEO and majority owner of Gymshark, a fitness apparel and accessories company founded in 2012.{{Cite news|last=Onita|first=Laura|date=14 August 2020|title=Entrepreneur behind Gymshark worth £700m after blockbuster deal|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/08/14/entrepreneur-behind-gymshark-worth-700m-blockbuster-deal/|access-date=17 August 2020|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817003825/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/08/14/entrepreneur-behind-gymshark-worth-700m-blockbuster-deal/|url-status=live}}
With a stake of over 70% in Gymshark which is currently valued by investors at $1.45 billion, Francis had a net worth of $1.3 billion as of April 2023.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ben-francis-1/?list=rtb/&sh=2712b47d15df|title=Ben Francis|magazine=Forbes|date=22 April 2023|access-date=22 April 2023}} In April 2023, he made his debut on Forbes' annual The World's Billionaires list as the 2,259th richest person in the world.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2023/04/05/from-bodybuilder-to-billionaire-how-gymshark-founder-ben-francis-built-a-sportswear-unicorn/?sh=10f5d5e72ab0|title=From Bodybuilder To Billionaire: How Gymshark Founder Ben Francis Built A Sportswear Unicorn|website=Forbes|first=Giacomo|last=Tognini|date=5 April 2023|access-date=22 April 2023|archive-date=22 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422100342/https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2023/04/05/from-bodybuilder-to-billionaire-how-gymshark-founder-ben-francis-built-a-sportswear-unicorn/?sh=10f5d5e72ab0|url-status=live}}
Early life
Benjamin David Francis{{Cite web |date=4 January 2023 |title=The best gym wear for men |url=https://luxurylondon.co.uk/wellbeing/health/the-best-activewear-brands-most-stylish-gym-clothes-workout-gear-for-men/ |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=Luxury London |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224160436/https://luxurylondon.co.uk/wellbeing/health/the-best-activewear-brands-most-stylish-gym-clothes-workout-gear-for-men/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=31 December 2022 |title=New Year Honours List—United Kingdom |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/63918/data.pdf |website=London Gazette |access-date=24 December 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630182157/http://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/63918/data.pdf |url-status=live }} was born in the West Midlands, England in 1992{{Cite web |last=Tognini |first=Giacomo |date=5 April 2023 |title=From Bodybuilder To Billionaire: How Gymshark Founder Ben Francis Built A Sportswear Unicorn |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2023/04/05/from-bodybuilder-to-billionaire-how-gymshark-founder-ben-francis-built-a-sportswear-unicorn/ |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422134601/https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2023/04/05/from-bodybuilder-to-billionaire-how-gymshark-founder-ben-francis-built-a-sportswear-unicorn/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=5 May 2020 |title=About Ben Francis |url=https://www.benfrancis.com/business/about/ |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=Ben Francis |language=en |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021203416/https://www.benfrancis.com/business/about/ |url-status=live }} and grew up in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.{{Cite web|last=Balloo|first=Stephanie|date=15 August 2020|title=Gymshark founded by ex pizza delivery boy valued at over £1billion|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/gymshark-set-up-bromsgrove-ex-18774914|access-date=17 August 2020|website=BirminghamLive|archive-date=30 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830141959/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/gymshark-set-up-bromsgrove-ex-18774914|url-status=live}} He attended South Bromsgrove High School.{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Tristan |title=Former South Bromsgrove High pupil Ben inspires class of 2019 on Gymshark visit |url=https://bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/news/former-south-bromsgrove-high-pupil-ben-inspires-class-of-2019-on-gymshark-visit/ |accessdate=14 August 2020 |work=The Bromsgrove Standard |date=22 March 2019 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807145315/https://bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/news/former-south-bromsgrove-high-pupil-ben-inspires-class-of-2019-on-gymshark-visit/ |url-status=live }} He first became interested in computing after studying IT at school.{{Cite web|date=5 May 2020|title=About Ben Francis|url=https://www.benfrancis.com/business/about/|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Ben Francis|language=en|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021203416/https://www.benfrancis.com/business/about/|url-status=live}} His first business was an online company that sold car number plates.{{Cite web|last=Rhys|first=Steffan|date=19 May 2020|title=The 27-year-old from Bromsgrove who's already worth well over £100 million|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/ben-francis-gymshark-worth-138-18267332|access-date=17 August 2020|website=BirminghamLive|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026055101/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/ben-francis-gymshark-worth-138-18267332|url-status=live}} Francis started going to the gym as a teenager. He later said "the structure, consistency and work ethic I found in the gym I realised, could be applied to different areas of my life and it would work." In 2010, he enrolled at Aston University for international business and management wherein he had "a strong foundation on which to build a business."{{Cite web|title=Former student's sportswear business is booming|url=https://www2.aston.ac.uk/news/releases/2015/september-2015/former-students-sportswear-business-gymshark-is-booming/index.aspx|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Aston University|language=en-GB|archive-date=21 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221134103/https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news|url-status=live}} He dropped out in 2012.{{Cite news |last=Bearne |first=Suzanne |date=1 October 2018 |title=The 26-year-old with a £100m sportswear brand |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45246999 |access-date=17 August 2020 |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819212919/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45246999 |url-status=live }}
Career
Before launching Gymshark, Francis developed two fitness applications, Fat Loss Abs Guide and {{Proper name|iPhysique}}. While at university between 2010 and 2013, he worked for Pizza Hut as a delivery boy earning £5 an hour.{{cite news |date=14 August 2020 |title=Ex-pizza delivery boy's gym firm worth over £1bn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53781515 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304121153/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53781515 |archive-date=4 March 2023 |accessdate=14 August 2020 |work=BBC News}} He left six months after launching Gymshark.{{cite news |last1=Barrie |first1=Thomas |title=Gymshark founder Ben Francis's tips for success |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/gymshark-ben-francis-tips |accessdate=14 August 2020 |work=GQ |date=17 February 2020 |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819004322/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/gymshark-ben-francis-tips |url-status=live }}
= Gymshark =
In 2012, at 19, he launched Gymshark in his parents' garage with school friend Lewis Morgan.{{Cite news|last=Armstrong|first=Ashley|title=Ben Francis: fitness fanatic builds Gymshark into a £1bn business|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gym-clothing-pioneer-and-fitness-fanatic-builds-gymshark-into-a-1bn-business-mgvjczjnn|access-date=17 August 2020|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=4 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304175706/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gym-clothing-pioneer-and-fitness-fanatic-builds-gymshark-into-a-1bn-business-mgvjczjnn|url-status=live}} The website initially sold fitness supplements. Unable to afford to buy stock or secure distribution deals with supplement suppliers, he began dropshipping supplies from other vendors and it took him six weeks to make his first sale.{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Robert|date=3 June 2020|title=Gymshark Entrepreneur Ready to Take on the U.S.|url=https://medium.com/inspirational-tech-stories/28-year-old-gymshark-entrepreneur-ben-francis-ready-to-take-on-the-u-s-c1d1c3023c74|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Medium|language=en|archive-date=28 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628185007/https://medium.com/inspirational-tech-stories/28-year-old-gymshark-entrepreneur-ben-francis-ready-to-take-on-the-u-s-c1d1c3023c74|url-status=dead}} In 2013, branching out from supplements, Francis began designing and selling fitness apparel on Gymshark's website. He began manufacturing the products from his parents' garage in Bromsgrove, using a sewing machine and screen printer he bought with £1,000 of savings.{{Cite news|last=Times|first=The Sunday|title=How Gymshark founder Ben Francis created his sportswear empire|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gymshark-founder-ben-francis-story-2jm7d2trk|access-date=17 August 2020|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=4 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304164152/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gymshark-founder-ben-francis-story-2jm7d2trk|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Gymshark: Ex-pizza delivery boy's fitness wear brand valued at over £1bn|url=https://news.sky.com/story/gymshark-ex-pizza-delivery-boys-fitness-wear-brand-valued-at-over-1bn-12049635|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Sky News|language=en|archive-date=18 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818150623/https://news.sky.com/story/gymshark-ex-pizza-delivery-boys-fitness-wear-brand-valued-at-over-1bn-12049635|url-status=live}} He learned how to sew from his grandmother.{{Cite web|last=Cook|first=Jodie|title=How Gymshark Became A $1.3 Billion Brand, And What We Can Learn|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jodiecook/2020/08/17/how-gymshark-became-a-13bn-brand-and-what-we-can-learn/|access-date=13 September 2020|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=21 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221134101/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jodiecook/2020/08/17/how-gymshark-became-a-13bn-brand-and-what-we-can-learn/|url-status=live}}
In 2013, he exhibited Gymshark's products at the BodyPower fitness trade show in Birmingham. After the trade show ended, a tracksuit went viral on Facebook, generating £30,000 in sales within 30 minutes. Francis later left university and quit his job at Pizza Hut to focus on the company full-time. As a start-up, Francis marketed the brand through partnering with social media influencers, including body builders Nikki Blackketter and Lex Griffin. Gymshark was one of the first brands to make extensive use of social media influencers.
In 2015, Francis stepped down as CEO of the company to become chief marketing officer, chief brand officer and chief product officer.{{Cite news|last=Evans|first=Peter|title=Interview: Gymshark boss Steve Hewitt on his 'field of dreams'|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/interview-gymshark-boss-steve-hewitt-on-his-field-of-dreams-7pddlcsl5|access-date=17 August 2020|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815092040/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/interview-gymshark-boss-steve-hewitt-on-his-field-of-dreams-7pddlcsl5|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Works|first=FastCo|date=11 May 2020|title=How to make the most of your data—and empower your workforce|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90503549/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-data-and-empower-your-workforce|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820092546/https://www.fastcompany.com/90503549/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-data-and-empower-your-workforce|url-status=live}} At the time, he said the move would allow the company "to grow even more quickly" and give him time to "work on my weaknesses and become a more rounded businessperson".{{Cite web|last=Media|first=Insider|title=Gymshark founder reveals reasons behind stepping down as CEO|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/gymshark-founder-reveals-reasons-behind-stepping-down-as-ceo|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Insider Media Ltd|date=14 May 2020 |language=en|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026080022/https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/gymshark-founder-reveals-reasons-behind-stepping-down-as-ceo|url-status=live}} In 2018, Gymshark opened a new £5 million headquarters in Solihull, West Midlands.{{Cite web|date=19 June 2018|title=A Look Inside Gymshark's New HQ|url=https://www.officelovin.com/2018/06/19/a-tour-of-gymsharks-new-hq/|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Officelovin'|language=en-US|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026102118/https://www.officelovin.com/2018/06/19/a-tour-of-gymsharks-new-hq/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Geoghegan|first=Jill|date=10 April 2018|title=Gymshark launches new UK HQ|url=https://www.drapersonline.com/news/gymshark-launches-new-uk-hq|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Drapers|language=en|archive-date=4 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804135957/https://www.drapersonline.com/news/gymshark-launches-new-uk-hq|url-status=live}} In 2019, Gymshark opened its own branded gym and innovation hub.{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Tamlyn|date=18 February 2020|title=Gymshark expands head office base in Solihull|url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/gymshark-expands-head-office-base-17762943|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Business Live|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023105852/https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/gymshark-expands-head-office-base-17762943|url-status=live}} Since 2016, Gymshark has been listed on The Sunday Times Fast Track of fast-growing private companies.{{Cite web|last=TWK|title=Fast Track|url=https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/company_profile/gymshark/|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Fast Track|language=en-GB|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929075407/https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/company_profile/gymshark/|url-status=dead}} The company currently sells products in 131 countries.{{Cite web|title=About Gymshark|url=https://uk.gymshark.com/pages/about-us|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Gymshark UK|language=en-GB|archive-date=31 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831211519/https://uk.gymshark.com/pages/about-us|url-status=live}}
In August 2020, Gymshark sold a 21% stake to US private equity firm General Atlantic in a deal which valued the company in excess of £1 billion.{{Cite web|title=Clothing brand Gymshark becomes UK's newest £1bn start-up|url=https://www.ft.com/content/6122628d-a309-4c33-a664-3fc799b0dee8|access-date=17 August 2020|website=www.ft.com|date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304014712/https://www.ft.com/content/6122628d-a309-4c33-a664-3fc799b0dee8|url-status=live |last1=Thomas |first1=Daniel }} Francis currently owns more than 70% of the company, which is worth £700 million. In August 2021, he returned to the role of the company's CEO.{{Cite web|last=Hughes|first=Huw|date=2 July 2021|title=Gymshark co-founder Ben Francis returns to CEO role|url=https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/gymshark-co-founder-ben-francis-returns-to-ceo-role/2021070256366|access-date=9 August 2021|website=FashionUnited|language=en|archive-date=9 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809212708/https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/gymshark-co-founder-ben-francis-returns-to-ceo-role/2021070256366|url-status=live}}
In 2018, Francis was included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.{{Cite magazine |title=Ben Francis |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ben-francis/ |access-date=17 August 2020 |magazine=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304120318/https://www.forbes.com/profile/ben-francis/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |title=30 Under 30 Europe 2018: Retail & Ecommerce |url=https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30-europe/2018/retail-ecommerce/ |access-date=17 August 2020 |magazine=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810160722/https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30-europe/2018/retail-ecommerce/ |url-status=live }} In 2019, Francis served on the UK Government's Business Council for Entrepreneurs.{{Cite news |title=Bidders circle £1bn Gymshark as sports brand shrugs off virus |url=https://news.sky.com/story/bidders-circle-1bn-gymshark-as-sports-brand-shrugs-off-virus-12024899 |access-date=17 August 2020 |work=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=12 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912213143/https://news.sky.com/story/bidders-circle-1bn-gymshark-as-sports-brand-shrugs-off-virus-12024899 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Small Business, Scale ups and Entrepreneurs Business Council: 10 July 2019 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/small-business-council-10-july-2019 |access-date=17 August 2020 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-date=6 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706023111/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/small-business-council-10-july-2019 |url-status=live }} In 2020, Francis was awarded the EY UK Entrepreneur of the Year Award.{{Cite web |title=Gymshark founder named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2020 UK winner |url=https://www.ey.com/en_uk/news/2020/12/gymshark-founder-named-ey-entrepreneur-of-the-year-2020-uk-winner |access-date=22 February 2021 |website=www.ey.com |language=en-UK |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117130409/https://www.ey.com/en_uk/news/2020/12/gymshark-founder-named-ey-entrepreneur-of-the-year-2020-uk-winner |url-status=live }} Francis was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to the business sector.{{London Gazette
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Personal life
Francis is a car and motorcycle enthusiast, and a season ticket holder at Aston Villa. He and his girlfriend Robin Gallant became engaged in April 2021, and married on 9 September 2021.{{cite news |date=23 September 2021 |title=Fairytale Wedding - Ben and Robin |url=https://www.clementsandchurch.co.uk/weddings/ben-robin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204231420/https://www.clementsandchurch.co.uk/weddings/ben-robin/ |archive-date=4 February 2023 |access-date=4 February 2023}} On 8 September 2022, Francis announced that they were expecting twins.{{cite web |last=Rudland |first=Frankie Michael |date=8 September 2022 |title=Owner of Gymshark Ben Francis announces he's having twins! |url=https://gymfluencers.com/owner-of-gymshark-ben-francis-announces-hes-having-twins/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915070700/https://gymfluencers.com/owner-of-gymshark-ben-francis-announces-hes-having-twins/ |archive-date=15 September 2022 |access-date=4 February 2023 |language=en-UK}} Their twin sons were born on 24 December 2022.{{Cite web |date=21 April 2023 |title=Ben Francis: the rise of Solihull's Gymshark and the UK's youngest billionaire |url=https://www.birminghamworld.uk/news/gymshark-ben-francis-solihull-birmingham-fitness-gym-4111934 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509101718/https://www.birminghamworld.uk/news/gymshark-ben-francis-solihull-birmingham-fitness-gym-4111934 |archive-date=9 May 2023 |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=BirminghamWorld |language=en}} In July 2024, the couple announced that they were expecting another child.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C90EGHDIBfw/?igsh=b2lzbnRoZmlvYjRx |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=www.instagram.com}}