Jim Ratcliffe’s Fortune and Share in Manchester United – The Sun
JIM Ratcliffe is the founder of Ineos, the fourth largest chemical company globally.
The investor, renowned for his significant stake in Manchester United, gained fame by featuring on a notable 2025 wealth list.
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Becoming a Billionaire
Jim grew up in modest conditions in a council house near Manchester.
Born on October 18, 1952, he was raised by his mother, an office manager, and his father, a joiner.
Ratcliffe started his career at the oil giant Esso, subsequently earning an MBA from the London Business School.
In 1989, he joined the US private equity firm Advent International, marking a key moment in his business journey.
By 1998, he established Ineos in a small setup in Hampshire.
Leveraging high-yield debt for financing, he began acquiring undervalued assets from companies like energy giant BP, targeting those with the potential to double their earnings within five years.
In 2006, Ineos acquired BP’s refining and petrochemical division Innovene, gaining refineries and facilities in Scotland, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, and Canada.
Later, in April 2010, Ratcliffe moved Ineos’ headquarters to Rolle in Switzerland, reducing the company’s tax liabilities by £100 million per year.
Ineos produces everyday products that contribute to water purification, toothpaste manufacturing, antibiotic production, home insulation, and food packaging.
Appearing on the Rich List
His vast wealth earned him a spot on a prestigious 2025 rich list.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe discusses his ambitions for the new Manchester United Stadium
However, he fell to seventh place after reportedly losing £6.5 billion.
As the seventh richest individual, his net worth is estimated at £17 billion.
In February 2024, he became a minority shareholder in his beloved football club: Manchester United.
Following his purchase of the club, significant layoffs occurred at Manchester United, along with ambitious plans for a new stadium.
However, the projected cost for the stadium is a staggering £2 billion.
The CEO’s Family Life
Jim has two sons, George and Samuel, from his first marriage to Amanda Townson.
He divorced Amanda in 1995 after ten years of marriage.
The billionaire later had a daughter, Julia, with his second wife, Italian tax lawyer Maria Alessia Maresca.
Jim is reported to have married Alicia in the late 1990s, but they separated a few years later.
