Sir jim Ratcliffe has dropped several places on the Sunday Times Rich List (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Sir jim Ratcliffe has dropped several places on the Sunday Times Rich List (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Oldham-born Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s wealth has fallen by £6.5bn in the last year, according to this year’s Sunday Times Rich List.
Ratcliffe, founder of petrochemicals giant INEOS, has seen his fortune reduced from £23.5bn 12 months ago to £17bn putting him seventh place in the latest list, which charts the wealth of the 350 richest people in the UK.
It is a major drop for the Failsworth-born man, who was third in the list last year, making him the biggest faller in the 2025 list.
The loss suffered represents a quarter of the billionaire's wealth.
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The 72-year-old bought a 27.7 per cent stake in Manchester United for £1.25bn in February last year and has since increased his holding to 28.94 per cent.
Having taken charge of football operations, he has since presided over a controversial cost-cutting exercise as he attempts to revive United’s fortunes.
The club currently lies 16th in the Premier League table and need to beat 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final if they are to emerge with anything to show for their efforts this season.
Ratcliffe's cost-cutting measures, which have included hundreds of staff being laid off and changes to bonuses and lunch for staff, have proved largely unpopular with fans.
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Despite his drop on the Rich List, Ratcliffe remains the richest person in the North West, with the second richest North West portfolio being that of The Duke of Westminster and the Grosvenor Family.
According to Robert Watts, compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, there are less billionaires in the UK and the combined wealth of those on the list is falling.
He said: “The Sunday Times Rich List is changing. Our billionaire count is down and the combined wealth of those who feature in our research is falling. We are also finding fewer of the world’s super rich are coming to live in the UK.”