Ben Francis.

Ben Francis is the Founder and CEO of Gymshark, the fitness apparel brand he started at age 19 from his parents' garage in the UK and built into a global brand valued at over $1.5 billion.

While headquartered in the UK, Gymshark has significant U.S. operations based in Denver, Colorado, and the United States is its largest market. Francis pioneered the influencer marketing model for athletic apparel, partnering with fitness content creators on YouTube and Instagram years before influencer marketing became mainstream. This strategy allowed Gymshark to compete with established brands like Nike and Under Armour without traditional advertising budgets. The brand has expanded from men's gym wear into a comprehensive athletic lifestyle brand for both men and women, and has opened flagship retail stores including a major location in London. Francis stepped down as CEO before returning in 2021 to lead the next phase of growth. His story of building a billion-dollar brand through social media and community engagement has become a case study in modern consumer brand building.