Gymshark founder in talks to buy back part of stake sold to private equity firm

Ben Francis, who started business in parents’ garage, sold 21% stake in deal that created £1.25bn sportswear brand

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The founder of Gymshark is in talks to buy back a portion of the stake he sold to private equity in a deal that created a billion-pound sportswear empire, as the 34-year-old looks to increase his control of the exercise clothing brand.

Ben Francis, who started the business sewing his own gym clothes in his parents’ garage in 2012, sold a 21% stake to the US private equity firm General Atlantic in 2020.