Gymshark founder, 30, who dropped out of college to construct sportswear empire which propelled him to Britain’s youngest billionaire receives MBE from Prince William at Windsor Citadel
- Ex-pizza supply driver Ben Francis has amassed a whopping $1.2bn fortune
- The 30-year-old billionaire’s MBE recognises his companies to the enterprise sector
Gymshark founder Ben Francis, who created a billion pound sportswear empire from his mother and father’ storage in Birmingham 11 years in the past, has been awarded an MBE by the Prince of Wales.
The 30-year-old dropped out of Aston College in 2012 to deal with his enterprise full time whereas nonetheless holding his job as a Pizza Hut supply driver to pay the payments.
Right now, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire at Windsor Castle for his companies to the enterprise sector.
Supported by his spouse and household, Mr Francis beamed as he obtained the honour from Prince William within the investiture ceremony on Wednesday, after he was recognised within the King’s New Yr’s Honours checklist.
Following the announcement earlier this yr, Mr Francis stated he ‘cannot consider it’.
Ben Francis, founder and chief government of Gymshark, is supported by his household as he receives his MBE from Prince William
The 30-year-old was awarded the honour at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Citadel
He wrote on LinkedIn: ‘I am unable to consider it however I have been awarded the honour of an MBE.’
‘That is in all probability probably the most surreal feeling I’ve had when being given an award. I am so grateful to all these round me who assist me in all that I do at Gymshark.’
In a Forbes billionaires checklist launched in April, the father-of-two was estimated to have a web value of $1.2billion (£992million), making him the UK’s youngest billionaire.
Gymshark, headquartered in Solihull, the West Midlands, is worn by a number of the world’s largest celebrities and influencers from Rita Ora to Nicole Scherzinger.
The model – which now sells in 230 international locations – has had a few hiccups alongside the best way, together with when it was accused of ‘virtue-signalling’ in 2020 after it used photos of a mannequin together with her love handles on present.
‘Fats-phobic’ followers claimed influencer Nelly London, from Brighton, ‘had no enterprise’ selling the model’s health put on and claimed they’d boycott the ‘woke warriors’ over the vary.
Nonetheless, the entrepreneur has gone from energy to energy in his life, dwelling a lifetime of luxurious as a self-made billionaire.
Francis, who was awarded the EY UK Entrepreneur of the Yr Award in 2020, married Robin Gallant, from Canada, in September 2021.
The pair welcomed twin sons on December 24 final yr after asserting publicly that Robin was pregnant three months prior.
They initially met after Francis requested her to advertise his model on her social media. Since then, she moved from her residence in Canada to dwell within the UK with him.
Additionally amongst these to be awarded an MBE this yr is Chris Kamara, one in every of soccer’s hottest figures.
Francis, now 30, pictured in Gymshark health club gear together with his mannequin spouse Robin Callant. The pair welcomed twin sons into their lives on December 24 final yr
The Gymshark founder receiving his honorary Doctorate of Enterprise Administration from Aston College in Might
Ben switches the Gymshark garments for a go well with in what appears to be like to be a enterprise assembly
Kamara was made a Member of the British Empire by Prince William within the investiture ceremony on Tuesday, with the pair sharing a joke throughout their alternate.
The 65-year-old performed for 9 English skilled golf equipment in a profession spanning 20 years earlier than occurring to handle Bradford and Stoke, however in newer years he has change into greatest identified for his work as a pundit and presenter on Sky Sports activities.
Lionesses stars Beth Mead and Lucy Bronze also received their MBEs for services to football after their half in England’s Euro 2022 triumph.
The pair had been pictured receiving their royal honours from Prince William.
It tops off a spate of awards for Arsenal star Mead, who was the Golden Boot winner on the Euro 2022 match and went on to win the BBC Sports activities Character of the Yr again in December.
