The multi-millionaire owner of Gymshark is among the Cotswold residents to be names in the New Years Honours.

Ben Francis, founder and CEO of Gymshark has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to business. 

The self-made gymware entrepreneur, aged 30, who is worth £900 million - was ranked 191st in the Sunday Times Rich List for 2022. 

Mr Francis co-founded Gymshark with Lewis Morgan in 2012 as two 19-year-old students from his parent’s garage in Bromsgrove but today lives in Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds.

Celebrating the news on Instagram, he wrote: "I can’t believe it but I’ve been awarded the honour of an MBE.

"This is probably the most surreal feeling I’ve had when being given an award and I’m so grateful to all those around me who support me in all that I do at Gymshark, at the Birmingham Women & Children’s Hospital Charity, and at home.

"This week has been a week I never ever would have expected. Getting this honour is well and truly the icing on the cake, as just last week my wife gave birth to twins, at the amazing Birmingham Women’s hospital.

"Anyone who has kids will know… the first few days are tough, I’m so happy and filled with pride that I could cry.

"What a week, thank you, we’re feeling very blessed."

READ MORE: Worcester headteacher named in King's New Year's Honours list 2023

Another local receiving an MBE is David Phillip Handley, from Upper Rissington just outside Bourton.

Mr Handley works for HSBC UK as financial capability lead for future skills.

For his work in this role, he has been awarded an MBE for services to financial education.

Also receiving an MBE is Jennifer Irene Nolan, founder and recently the manager of Lawrence Home Nursing Team Limited.

The Chipping Norton resident has been handed the award for services to end-of-life care.

Meanwhile, Dawn Elizabeth Childs FREng is to be made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Mrs Childs, from Bourton-on-the-Hill is the current president of the Women’s Engineering Society and will receive the DBE for services to engineering.