Jim Ratcliffe Net Worth: Is He Still the UK’s Richest Person?

Jim Ratcliffe is a British billionaire, businessman, and chemical engineer. He has a flair for high-profile investments and is one of the most influential figures in the UK business landscape.

Ratcliffe is known for being the founder and chairman of the INEOS chemicals group, as well as for holding a significant stake in Manchester United. Jim Ratcliffe’s net worth in 2025 is estimated to be more than $22 billion.

Jim Ratcliffe bio

Jim Ratcliffe net worth

Ratcliffe’s net worth has dropped significantly recently, but he is still one of the richest people in the UK. According to the 2025 edition of the Sunday Times Rich List, his current net worth is estimated to be $22.7 billion, a drop of almost $9 billion from last year.

In 2018, Ratcliffe was the richest person in the UK with an estimated net worth of $28 billion, while in 2023, he was the second wealthiest figure in the UK, with an estimated net worth of almost $40 billion.

Ratcliffe’s staggering fortune comes from his industrial expertise and from his vast holdings across multiple sectors, especially in INEOS. He also holds a significant influence in the sports segment, thanks to his stakes in Manchester United, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, and the INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team.

Beyond chemicals and sports, the billionaire has made several investments in renewable energy and biotechnology projects. Furthermore, he owns two super yachts, as well as properties in Switzerland, France, and the UK. He also has an enviable collection of modern and contemporary art.

Early life, education, and career

Ratcliffe was born on 18 October 1952 in Failsworth, Lancashire (now Greater Manchester). His father worked as a joiner, while his mother worked in an accounts office.

Ratcliffe attended Beverley Grammar School and graduated from the University of Birmingham as a chemical engineer in 1974. In 1980, he completed his MBA from the London Business School.

After graduating, Ratcliffe worked at BP, an oil firm, but was fired just three days later. Thereafter, he took a job as a trainee accountant at a pharmaceutical company. A few years later, he joined oil giant Esso, which funded his MBA from the London Business School.

Ratcliffe briefly worked for the fabric and chemicals producer Courtaulds, and in 1989, joined the US private equity group Advent International. In 1998, he leased a former BP Chemicals site in Antwerp, Belgium and co-founded Inspec. In the same year, Ratcliffe formed INEOS, which acquired Inspec to gain ownership of the Antwerp site.

Ratcliffe has married twice. He has two sons from his first wife, Amanda Townson, and is currently in a relationship with Catherine Polli. The businessman also has a daughter from a previous relationship.

INEOS – Ratcliffe’s primary source of wealth

Ratcliffe has transformed INEOS from scratch to one of the world’s largest chemical companies. The chemical powerhouse makes everything from synthetic oils and plastics to solvents used to make insulin and antibiotics. It is also one of the biggest players in the UK’s shale sector.

In 1992, Ratcliffe remortgaged his house for a buyout of a BP chemicals business, and six years later, he purchased a plant from that firm to start INEOS. He is now the founder, chairman, CEO and the majority owner of the chemical conglomerate.

Ratcliffe has used aggressive acquisitions to grow INEOS into a multinational conglomerate. In 2005, for instance, the company acquired the former BP petrochemicals division. In 2007, the company bought Norsk Hydro’s polymers business to expand its presence in the European polymers market.

More recently, the company bought two chemicals businesses from BP in 2021, as well as U.S. onshore oil and gas assets from Chesapeake Energy in 2023. In 2022, the company entered a petrochemical JV with Sinopec. In 2010, the billionaire moved INEOS’s head office from Hampshire to Rolle, Switzerland, to save on taxes.

INEOS now operates 173 sites across 32 countries, generates $55 billion annually and employs over 25,000 people.

Sports investments

Ratcliffe has made many significant investments in sports. Some of the most notable ones are:

• Acquired over 25% ownership in soccer club Manchester United for $1.5 billion over two months ending in early 2024. Previously, he made a bid to buy Premier League side Chelsea, but his bid was rejected.
• Invested heavily in professional cycling sports through his company, INEOS, which owns Ineos Grenadiers (previously Team Sky), one of the most successful cycling teams.
• INEOS also owns many other sports teams, including the Swiss Super League club Lausanne-Sport and Ligue 1 club Nice.
• In 2021, Ratcliffe invested a massive amount to form a sailing team to compete for the 36th America’s Cup. Similarly, INEOS Britannia represented Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd for the 37th America’s Cup.
• In 2020, INEOS signed a five-year sponsorship agreement with Mercedes AMG F1.
• Ratcliffe has also supported several marathon events, including founding a charity “Go Run for Fun” to encourage kids to get active.

Awards and achievements

Over the years, Ratcliffe has received numerous and awards and achievements for his contribution to society and the industry. Some of the major ones are:

• Received an honorary fellowship from the Institution of Chemical Engineers in 2009.
• Received the Petrochemical Heritage Award in 2013.
• Was knighted in the Birthday Honours for services to business and investment in 2018.
• Was ranked as the richest person in the UK in 2018.

Ratcliffe’s controversies

Ratcliffe has been the subject of several controversies, such as:

• Several environmental groups have opposed INEOS’ shale gas extraction plans, arguing that it is environmentally harmful and contributes to climate change. The company also reportedly faced non-compliance issues with environmental regulations in the US.
• In 2020, Ratcliffe’s move to officially change his tax residence from Hampshire to Monaco, a tax haven, faced heavy criticism for potentially avoiding taxes.
• More recently, Ratcliffe have under fire for his unpopular financial decisions at Manchester United. Since acquiring a stake in the popular soccer club, the billionaire has taken several financial decisions that are seen as prioritizing profit over the fans and the club’s history, such as hiking ticket prices, removing concessions, canceling Christmas parties, reducing seasonal bonuses and significant layoffs.
• Ratcliffe’s charity foundation, the Jim Ratcliffe Foundation, has faced accusations of using charitable funds to support Ratcliffe’s personal interests. The foundation recently faced scrutiny for potentially supporting an exclusive private members’ club in France.