Serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk joins Gymshark

Fitness community and apparel brand Gymshark has hired Gary Vaynerchuk as an advisor to the board.

In a statement, the company said that Vaynerchuk is "considered one of the leading global minds on what’s next in culture, relevance and the internet", and will lend his expertise in areas from e-commerce and digital marketing to business strategy and consumer attention. 

The serial entrepreneur is also an angel investor with early investments in companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Venmo, Snapchat, Coinbase and Uber.

Vaynerchuk, Chairman of VaynerX and the CEO of VaynerMedia said: “I’ve been following the Gymshark story for some time now and have been watching what Ben and the team have achieved in such a short space of time. I’ve no doubt they can replicate the phenomenal success they’ve had in the UK in the US and beyond and I am excited to join their advisory board.”

Ben Francis, Founder and CEO of Gymshark added: "I'm absolutely buzzing to have Gary join us as an advisor to our board. He doesn't really need an introduction and his presence, counsel and influence will go a long way to helping Gymshark become the global leader we genuinely believe we can be. I can't wait for the next board meeting".

The appointment comes as Gymshark rapidly expands its global proposition. Since opening its US headquarters in Denver, Colorado last year, the company already counts over 100 members of staff in its workforce.

Founded in 2012, the company has gone from strength to strength and currently employs almost 1000 people globally. It operates in over 180 countries, has six offices worldwide and has an audience of over 17 million across the globe. In its last financial year, Gymshark turned over £400 million and became only the second British company to achieve 'unicorn' status last year.

According to The Financial Times, Gymshark's CEO Ben Francis has held talks with banks and investors over future plans but is not planning a public listing imminently.