Gymshark founder who launched £1.25bn empire in parents’ garage awarded MBE

Ben Francis, 30, among slew of businesspeople recognised for services to commerce and economy in new year honours list

The 30-year-old founder of the exercise clothing brand Gymshark has been awarded an MBE in the new year honours list, - just one of a slew of businesspeople to be recognised for their services to commerce and the economy.

Ben Francis, who began his 1.25bn empire sewing his own gym clothes in his parents' garage in Bromsgrove, near Birmingham, in 2012, is the youngest of those to be honoured for their services to business.