BEN Francis is the founder of the global sportswear company Gymshark.

He was featured on the Sunday Times Rich List in 2025, as his business kept growing.

Taking a risk

Born on June 4, 1992, Ben left Aston University to pursue his vision of starting his own sports brand.

He worked as a delivery driver for Pizza Hut to fund his ambition and eventually quit after six months of running the company. 

The entrepreneur founded the brand alongside his school friend Lewis Morgan in 2012, when he was 19. 

They based the company in a garage, while initially focusing on selling fitness supplements. 

Eventually, they decided to expand their range by selling high-quality sportswear. 

Ben drew on his sewing skills, having been taught by his mother at a young age. 

After becoming a national success, he stepped down as CEO in 2016 but remained the chief brand officer and majority shareholder. 

Joining the rich list

Ben’s huge success landed him on the Sunday Times Rich List. 

He is worth a staggering £726 million, with Gymshark itself being valued at over £1 billion. 

His company now employs more than 850 people and sells to over 100 countries worldwide. 

Meeting his wife

Ben married his long-term girlfriend Robin Gallant on September 9, 2021. 

Robin was a fitness influencer and eventually became a brand representative for her husband’s sportswear brand. 

Ben and his wife met while at a fitness expert in Robin’s home city of Toronto, Canada. 

The pair share twin sons who were born on Christmas Eve 2022.