New Year Honours Recognises Aston University Honorary Alumni And Current Senior Leader Apprentice

The founder of the exercise clothing brand Gymshark and the project director for the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which hosted swimming and diving events during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, are among those recognised in the 2023 New Year Honours list.

Ben Francis, who began his £1.25bn empire sewing his own gym clothes in his parents’ garage in Bromsgrove was awarded an MBE for services to commerce and the economy. Ben dropped out of an international business and management degree at Aston University to focus on Gymshark. He was awarded an honorary degree by the University in April 2022.

Chris Jones, Sandwell Council’s project director for the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, was awarded an MBE for services to sport and the community in the West Midlands for his instrumental role in the council delivering the project for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Chris is currently studying an Executive MBA Senior Leader Apprenticeship in business administration, management and operations at Aston Business School.

Also included in the honours list was prominent lawyer and businessman John Crabtree, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by Aston University in 2021. He received a knighthood for his work as chairman of the organising committee of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Kerrie Holland, director of Alumni Relations and Development at Aston University, said:

“Congratulations to the Aston University honorary alumni and current student who have been named in the New Year Honours list.

“We are very proud of their achievements and it is fantastic to see their contributions to business and the community recognised in this way.”