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

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

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.”

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.

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

Recommended reads

Only two people have ever been banned from Met GalaNeilson Barnard/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/VogueZendaya 'broke Met Gala golden rule' last yearSavion Washington/Getty ImagesLocals of world’s largest nudist village hit out after it’s ‘overrun by swingers’SWNSSir Alec Guinness made over $95 million from Star Wars due to unique contract clauseLucasfilm

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • SWNS
    an hour ago

    Locals of world’s largest nudist village hit out after it’s ‘overrun by swingers’

    A lot of illicit action has been unfolding on the beach, according to one local

    News
  • Kennedy News and Media
    2 hours ago

    Dad's leg left twice the size of the other a year after canal swim left him with infection

    Sam McAlpine Peyr, 32, from Gloucestershire, developed a serious illness after swimming in a canal last year

    News
  • Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Osama Bin Laden’s wife revealed his final words before being shot by Navy SEAL

    The man who claims to have killed Bin Laden previously opened up on the moment he fired the fatal shot

    News
  • Instagram
    3 hours ago

    Husband who ‘murdered ex-Miss Switzerland finalist and pureed her remains’ issues chilling statement in court

    The husband is continuing to plead self-defence

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