• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Gymshark owner who started business from his parents’ garage becomes Britain’s youngest billionaire

Home> News

Published 18:59 6 Apr 2023 GMT+1

Gymshark owner who started business from his parents’ garage becomes Britain’s youngest billionaire

Ben Francis, the owner of Gymshark, has become Britain's youngest billionaire.

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

I think we'd be lying if we say we didn't sit in our parents' house when we were younger thinking of this amazing idea that would hopefully make us a billionaire one day.

Obviously, for the vast majority of us, that dream never comes true, but it did for Birmingham-born entrepreneur Ben Francis.

If you didn't know, Francis is the founder of fitness wear brand Gymshark, which is estimated to be worth £1.25 billion ($1.5bn).

The popular sporting brand, which has its headquarters in Solihull, is worn by some of the biggest celebrities on the planet.

Advert

Starting out in his family home after Grandma Francis bought him a sewing machine, Gymshark has gone from strength-to-strength, to the point where Francis sold 21 percent of the business to private equity firm General Atlantic for $300 million (£240 million).

Gymshark Owner Ben Francis has had quite the rise to where he is now.
Andrew Fox / Alamy Stock Photo

In late 2021, Francis announced the opening of the brand's first ever store in Regent Street, London.

The Gymshark CEO made the announcement on social media along with an accompanying video explaining his decision and giving a tour of the building he has signed a 10-year lease for.

While walking around Regent Street and the building, the CEO said: “I must admit, walking down where we sort of came in the tube on Oxford Circus and then to walk down the street and see... the Gymshark store, it just immediately gave me goosebumps.”

Advert

He continued: “I’m so proud of the decision that we’re making for the long term of this community and for the brand.”

And now, Francis has become the Britain's youngest billionaire at the age of 30, which also makes him one of the world's youngest billionaires.

Recently, Francis was named on Forbes' World's Billionaire list who are 30 and under, a list that included 14 fellow billionaires, including Mark Mateschitz, the son of the late Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz.

Francis has a total net worth of $1.2 billion (£922 million), with him currently owning 70 percent of the Gymshark brand.

But Francis' rise to fame has not been the easiest, as the young billionaire was involved in a drug scandal that threatened to end his career.

Advert

Ben Francis is now Britain's youngest billionaire.
Andrew Fox / Alamy Stock Photo

In 2020, a video surfaced of him online appearing to snort white powder with his pals, something Francis did of course address.

"Four years ago, I was a young guy. I got caught up in a moment and made a stupid mistake that I massively regret," he said.

Since then, Francis' wealth and brand has only increased.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter / @benfrancis1992 / Gymshark

Topics: Money, UK News

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Woman kidnapped for nine months aged 14 shares horrific details about incident

    On 5 June 2002, Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her bed by Brian David Mitchell

    News
  • (Getty Images/Science Photo Library)
    4 hours ago

    Noticing six things when you walk could be a sign of dementia for people as young as 30

    A rise in awareness follows the death of the UK's youngest dementia patient, aged 24

    News
  • X
    5 hours ago

    ICE agent’s injuries after killing Renee Good revealed by officials

    The Trump administration previously accused Renee Good of trying to 'incite violence' against federal agents

    News
  • Facebook
    6 hours ago

    Solo hiker, 46, killed by pack of mountain lions as terrifying CCTV footage shared

    Kristen Marie Kovatch was killed while on a New Year's Day hike

    News
  • What Is Gymshark's Ben Francis Worth In 2022?
  • Dad Who Left His Partner For Ukrainian Refugee Invites Couple Into His Home