Benjamin Banks, founder of SBD Apparel

Creating useful people - the childhoods of entrepreneurs and business leaders - from Clever Tykes

The importance of attention to detail when creating a global sports brand

Benjamin Banks is the CEO and founder of SBD Group. Started in 2013 under the name SBD Apparel, the company develops superior strength clothing and equipment with world class athletes, coaches and health professionals. The products are made in the UK, predominantly in SBD’s factory in Rotherham. The group employs over 50 people, the products are distributed in over 40 countries and SBD received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2018. SBD is also the official partner for the World’s Strongest Man and the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF).
Ben himself had a successful powerlifting career – first competing for Great Britain in 2007, winning multiple British Championships then going on to represent team GB in the open team at the World Championships and European Championships, retiring from competing in 2013, the same year he started SBD.

In this episode we discuss Ben’s incredible attention to detail, where it came from and how it has helped him build a global sports brand. We talk about how he fitted in at school and the advice he’d give to his younger self.

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