Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s net worth plummets as Rockman United cost cuts | Soccer | Sports

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s wealth has fallen by £1.85bn in the last year, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List. Still, the Manchester United co-owner remains the North West’s richest man for another year, with an estimated fortune of £15.194 billion, down further from £17.04 billion in 2025.

Mr Ratcliffe, a 73-year-old entrepreneur, made his fortune by acquiring a 27.7% stake in United in a £1.25bn deal in 2024 after agreeing terms with majority shareholders the Glazer family, and founding petrochemical group INEOS in 1998. As a key figure in the chemicals sector and CEO of INEOS, Mr. Ratcliffe oversees a global petrochemicals business with operations in 27 countries. However, the group’s valuation was reduced to £17bn due to rising debt, weak earnings and losses of £515.7m.

His 29% stake in Manchester United is currently valued at £1.4bn. This comes after the 73-year-old warned Britain and Europe about the direction of energy policy last week during an announcement related to new investments in the United States.

INEOS has confirmed that it has completed a transaction to acquire a 21% interest in three oil and gas fields off the east coast of the United States. The move adds to more than €3bn (£2.61bn) already invested in the US business.

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Last year’s Rich List showed Sir Jim’s fortune had fallen by £6.5 billion, but he remained the richest man in the North West and the seventh richest person in Britain in 2025.

The Sunday Times has published its annual Rich List. This year’s ranking of 350 individuals and families controls £783.5bn of wealth, around a quarter of the UK’s annual GDP.

Sir Elton John, Lord Lloyd Webber, Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, J.K. Rowling, Charlotte Tilbury and Sir Lewis Hamilton all appear on the annual list alongside the Gallagher brothers for the first time, valued at £375 million. The entry level for this year’s list has fallen to £340m, which The Sunday Times described as “another indicator of a weak year”.

“This year’s list of the richest people is a story of two emigrations. One in six individuals and families who were on the list two years ago do not appear this time,” said Robert Watts, compiler of the Sunday Times’ list of the richest people.

“Many foreign millionaires who lived in the UK have also dropped out due to relocation. There has also been a surge in the number of British people now residing in Dubai, Switzerland and Monaco. As British nationals, these people will remain on our rich list, no matter where they currently live.”

“These two exodus pose challenges to the UK economy and public finances. As more wealthy people will set up or grow businesses overseas, will this mean fewer jobs will be created here? How much tax (if any) will Rachel Reeves Treasury be able to collect from wealthy Brits who leave the country?”

“For nearly 40 years, The Sunday Times Rich List has analyzed the wealth of Britain’s richest people. We believe that understanding where wealth is located and is stored is an essential part of a functioning democracy.”

“Our research over the years has taught us a lot about our country, charting how a generation of largely self-made entrepreneurs has overtaken the old money of the landed aristocracy.

“This year’s issue shines a light on the wealth created not only by artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, and cryptocurrencies, but also by baby milk, cosmetics, hoodies, and other everyday items. We know that many of our readers find the penniless-to-riches stories of entrepreneurs who started with just a laptop and an idea especially inspiring.”