The Midlands is home to some of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs, with a wealth of billionaires who have made their mark in industries ranging from online gambling and engineering to retail and motorcycles.
We’ve analysed Forbes’ real-time billionaire list, which tracks the net worth of the world’s wealthiest people each day. According to Forbes, the nine richest billionaires in the region have built empires that span across diverse sectors, from Denise Coates’ dominance in online gambling with Bet365 to John Caudwell’s fortunes from mobile phone retailing.
These business magnates have not only amassed personal fortunes but also shaped the economic landscape of the Midlands.
9. Ben Francis ($1.3bn)
Francis is the founder and CEO of Gymshark, a sportswear brand based in Solihull. In August 2020, Francis sold a 21% stake to private equity firm General Atlantic in a deal that valued the company at $1.45 billion; he retains a 70% ownership. He co-founded Gymshark with his friend Lewis Morgan in 2012, starting the business in his parents' garage at the age of 19 while still a college student delivering pizzas. Gymshark's growth was fueled by partnerships with fitness influencers on social media, who were paid small amounts to wear the brand's gear in their videos. | Facebook