Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the minority owner of Manchester United, experienced a significant drop in his fortune according to the Sunday Times Rich List. He was the biggest loser among the top ten individuals on the list this year. In the previous year, Ratcliffe was ranked second with a net worth of nearly £30 billion. However, this year he has fallen to fourth place with a net worth of £23.519 billion.
Despite this decrease, Ratcliffe’s fortune is still quite substantial. In February, his company Ineos purchased a 27.7 percent stake worth £1.03 billion in Manchester United, giving them sporting control of the club. This move aligns with Ratcliffe’s plans to overhaul both the team and the stadium, with a potential vision of creating a “Wembley of the north” in the coming years.
In addition to his ownership in Manchester United, Ratcliffe’s company also owns Ligue 1 team Nice, Swiss club Lausanne-Sport, and a highly successful cycling team that has won seven Tour de France titles. Furthermore, Ineos holds a one-third stake in the Mercedes F1 team, which is also associated with seven-time F1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton.
Speaking of Hamilton, the renowned Formula 1 driver saw his wealth grow to £350 million in 2024, placing him at the bottom of the top 350 richest Brits list. Hamilton also tops the list for sport stars and ranks ninth on the 40 Under 40 rich list, surpassing other notable athletes such as Rory McIlroy, Anthony Joshua, and Sir Andy Murray.
Overall, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe experienced a decline in his wealth on this year’s Rich List, his position as a minority owner of Manchester United and his ambitious plans for the club indicate that he still wields significant financial influence in the world of sports. Similarly, Lewis Hamilton’s continued success on and off the racetrack solidifies his status as one of the richest and most influential athletes in the UK.