Ben Francis

“When we opened the original store it was a completely new venture for us and we didn't really know what to expect or whether it would simply be a branding platform.”

“When Apple started, it was adopted by architects, creatives and other sorts of cool kids.”

“The first thing I do when I wake up is go downstairs and make breakfast. I find having a repetitive morning routine really grounding - wake up, make eggs and bacon, be with the dogs.”

“I would like loads of kids. I will be interested to see how that changes me and my approach to things.”

“People assume there is some bank balance with my name on it that has billions in which is just completely untrue, but I don't want to put a downer on it, I am super proud of what we've achieved.”

“I'm really boring, all I do is focus on Gymshark.”

“Going to Villa was just a really nice thing that I, my dad and brother could do every other weekend together.”

“Bricks and mortar retail isn't dead and we're going to prove it.”

“No individual should ever pin their self worth on wealth net worth. I see that as a wildly unproductive way to live. I just want to focus on my job, because I don't do it for that, I do it because I work with great people and I am working on a cause that I genuinely care about and I'm passionate about.”

“Our fans count their macros and know how to do a proper deadlift.”

“For me, it's about constantly reinventing the business, but also staying really true to who you are as a business, rather than over-stretching, over-reaching, and then becoming not as meaningful to everyone.”

“There is a level where as long as you can pay your bills, you're in a nice enough house, you can cover food and fees and whatever it is for your kids and you don't have to panic as you get into the third week of every month, then the link between happiness and wealth diminishes.”

“We want our team to be as accessible as possible to the wider Gymshark community.”

“We have to be successful in the U.S. in order for us to be successful around the world.”

“My grandparents would tell me stories about going down to the Villa even before every stand had been built; back in the day when it was literally just a hill.”

“From the point of view of the athletes we work with, we want to create a real, strong team that speaks to our values. And we work with them for a long, sustained period of time.”

“I was stood getting my MBE with my mum, dad and wife behind me, chatting to the future king of England about the Villa game on the weekend; it was very cool.”

“I don't think it's particularly divisive to say fitness should be for everyone.”

“We can find out quickly which city has the most people who've made purchases from us within an X-mile radius or an X journey time.”

“It's really important for me that we work with the best factories and factories that are really thoughtful in their design and make sure that we can also produce the best product and do best by those who are helping produce our product around the world.”