Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire founder of the petrochemical giant INEOS, has become one of the most talked-about figures in British business and football. His recent acquisition of a significant stake in Manchester United has placed him firmly in the public eye, prompting widespread curiosity about his fortune, his company, and his personal life. This article provides a detailed, fact-based overview of who Jim Ratcliffe is, how he built his wealth, and what his involvement with Manchester United means for the club.
As of 2025, Ratcliffe is estimated to be the seventh-richest person in the United Kingdom, with a fortune that has seen significant fluctuations in recent years. His journey from a chemical engineer in Failsworth to the owner of a global industrial empire is a story of strategic acquisitions and calculated risk-taking.
What is Jim Ratcliffe’s net worth and how did he build his fortune?
Estimated £17.05 billion (2025, Sunday Times Rich List), falling to ~£15.19 billion by early 2026.
Minority owner (27.7% to 28.94%) acquired in a £1.25 billion deal in February 2024.
Founder, Chairman & CEO of INEOS, established in May 1998.
Age 73 (born 18 October 1952), married twice, three children.
- Jim Ratcliffe is the UK’s seventh-richest person, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2025, with his wealth primarily derived from the chemicals conglomerate INEOS.
- His partial purchase of a stake in Manchester United in early 2024 marked a major shift in the ownership structure of the Premier League club.
- Ratcliffe’s fortune experienced a significant drop of approximately £6.5 billion between 2024 and 2025, a decline attributed to market conditions in the chemicals sector.
- He owns a notable car collection and is the creator of the INEOS Grenadier, a 4×4 vehicle inspired by the classic Land Rover Defender.
- Despite his high public profile, detailed information about his family remains relatively limited compared to his business ventures.
- Ratcliffe controls the football operations at Manchester United, a role he assumed immediately after his investment was finalized.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe |
| Born | 18 October 1952, Failsworth, Manchester, England |
| Age (2026) | 73 years |
| Profession | Chemical engineer, billionaire businessman |
| Company | Founder & CEO of INEOS (operates in 27 countries) |
| Manchester United | Minority owner (27.7% to 28.94%), controls football operations |
| Other Sports | Owns INEOS Grenadiers (cycling), OGC Nice (football), FC Lausanne-Sport, 1/3 stake in Mercedes F1 |
| Grenadier Vehicle | INEOS designed and sells the Grenadier; developing electric Fusilier (launch delayed to 2028–2029) |
| Net Worth (2025 Peak) | £23.519 billion (Sunday Times Rich List) |
| Net Worth (2026 early) | ~£15.19 billion |
| UK Ranking | 7th richest in the UK (2025) |
What is INEOS?
INEOS is a global petrochemical company founded by Jim Ratcliffe in May 1998. The company started with a single chemicals plant purchased from BP. A pivotal moment came in 2006 when Ratcliffe acquired BP’s European and Canadian refineries, which dramatically accelerated the company’s global expansion. Today, INEOS operates in 27 countries and has grown into one of the world’s largest chemical producers.
What cars does Jim Ratcliffe own?
Beyond his business empire, Ratcliffe is known for his passion for automobiles. The most prominent example is the INEOS Grenadier, a rugged 4×4 vehicle he developed after the original Land Rover Defender went out of production. The vehicle is designed to be a utilitarian off-roader. INEOS is also developing an electric version, the Fusilier, though its launch has been delayed to 2028–2029. While Ratcliffe is reported to own a collection of classic cars, including Ferraris, no official or detailed inventory of his personal collection has been made public.
What is Jim Ratcliffe’s role at Manchester United?
Jim Ratcliffe is a lifelong Manchester United fan, a fact he has stated in multiple interviews. In February 2024, he completed a £1.25 billion deal with the Glazer family, acquiring a minority stake in the club. The initial purchase was for 25% of the shares, with Ratcliffe later increasing his holding to approximately 27.7% to 28.94%. This stake, valued at roughly £1.4 billion, gives him control over the club’s football operations.
His role includes overseeing the hiring of key personnel, such as the new CEO Omar Berrada, and making decisions regarding the club’s sporting strategy. This marks a significant change for Manchester United, as the Glazer family had previously maintained tight control over all aspects of the club.
While the Glazer family retains majority ownership of Manchester United, the agreement with Jim Ratcliffe grants him full authority over the football department. This includes the men’s and women’s first teams, the academy, and the club’s recruitment strategy.
Who is Jim Ratcliffe’s family? (Wife, daughter, age, height)
How old is Jim Ratcliffe?
Jim Ratcliffe was born on 18 October 1952 in Failsworth, Manchester, England. As of 2026, he is 73 years old.
How tall is Jim Ratcliffe?
Jim Ratcliffe’s height is not reliably reported in any available authoritative source. No official biographical detail or confirmed measurement is available in the public domain as of 2025–2026.
Who is Jim Ratcliffe’s wife?
Jim Ratcliffe has been married twice. He has two sons, Sam and George, with his first wife, Amanda Townson. He is currently in a relationship with Catherine Polli. Information about the identity of his second wife is not clearly or consistently reported across mainstream sources.
Who is Jim Ratcliffe’s daughter?
Jim Ratcliffe has a daughter named Julia, who is a teenager. She is the daughter of Ratcliffe and Maria Alessia Maresca, an Italian tax lawyer. Some sources have referred to a daughter from a previous relationship without specifying the mother’s name, but the most detailed reports identify Julia as the daughter from his relationship with Maresca.
Despite his high public profile, Ratcliffe maintains a relatively low level of public disclosure regarding his family. The names of his children have been confirmed in various credible reports, but other personal details remain scarce.
Jim Ratcliffe: A Timeline of Key Life Events and Business Milestones
- 1952: Born in Failsworth, Lancashire, England.
- 1974: Graduated in chemical engineering from the University of Birmingham.
- 1998: Founded INEOS after buying a BP chemicals plant, marking the start of his global empire.
- 2006: Acquired BP’s European and Canadian refineries, a massive expansion for INEOS.
- 2019: Bought French football club OGC Nice, expanding his sports portfolio.
- 2021: Received a knighthood for services to business and investment.
- 2023: Announced a bid to buy Manchester United, later acquiring a minority stake.
- 2024: Became a minority owner of Manchester United, taking control of football operations.
What is established and what remains unclear about Jim Ratcliffe?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth, age, and profession as a chemical engineer. | Exact net worth fluctuates with market conditions; multiple estimates exist (e.g., Forbes vs. Sunday Times). |
| Founder of INEOS and its majority owner. | Exact percentage of Manchester United stake is not fully disclosed in all reports. |
| Partial owner of Manchester United as of 2024 with control over football operations. | Names of his wife are not widely confirmed in reliable sources. |
| Has two sons and a daughter. | Car collection details are anecdotal from interviews; no official inventory exists. |
| His wealth primarily stems from the chemicals sector, notably through INEOS. | His exact height is not publicly confirmed in any authoritative biography. |
What is the broader context of Jim Ratcliffe’s career and investments?
Jim Ratcliffe’s rise from a chemical engineer to one of the UK’s richest individuals reflects the growth of the petrochemical industry and his aggressive acquisition strategy. His entry into football ownership, first with OGC Nice and then Manchester United, signals a broader trend of billionaire investors seeking sports assets. INEOS has faced criticism for its environmental impact, but Ratcliffe has positioned himself as a turnaround specialist, focusing on operational efficiency and data-driven management.
His Manchester United stake is particularly significant given the club’s global fanbase and its recent struggles on the pitch. Ratcliffe’s approach to football operations suggests a focus on professionalizing the club’s management structure, but his net worth remains tied to the volatile chemicals sector, adding an element of financial risk to his sports investments.
What do the sources say about Jim Ratcliffe?
“I’m a fan of Manchester United. I’ve been a fan all my life.”
— BBC interview, 2024
“INEOS is a company that started with one plant and now has 180 sites around the world.”
— Forbes profile
What is the conclusion on Jim Ratcliffe?
Jim Ratcliffe is a significant figure in both British industry and football. His wealth, built on the foundation of INEOS, has made him one of the UK’s richest men, and his deep involvement with Manchester United marks a new chapter for the club. While his net worth has seen a notable decline in recent years, his strategic influence at Old Trafford is likely to shape the club’s direction for years to come. For more on his business ventures, see our Ineos Group: Overview and History.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jim Ratcliffe
What is Jim Ratcliffe’s full name?
His full name is Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe, though he is widely known as Jim Ratcliffe.
What is Jim Ratcliffe’s educational background?
He graduated in chemical engineering from the University of Birmingham in 1974.
When did Jim Ratcliffe become a knight?
He received a knighthood in 2021 for services to business and investment.
Does Jim Ratcliffe own any other sports teams?
Yes, he owns the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team, French football club OGC Nice, FC Lausanne-Sport, and has a one-third stake in the Mercedes Formula 1 team.
How much did Jim Ratcliffe pay for his Manchester United stake?
He acquired his initial 25% stake through a deal valued at £1.25 billion.
What is the INEOS Grenadier?
The INEOS Grenadier is a rugged 4×4 vehicle designed by INEOS, inspired by the Land Rover Defender.
Where was Jim Ratcliffe born?
He was born in Failsworth, Manchester, England.
How many children does Jim Ratcliffe have?
He has three children: two sons, Sam and George, and a daughter named Julia.
What is Jim Ratcliffe’s net worth according to Forbes?
Forbes estimated his net worth at $16 billion (£12.3 billion) in March 2025.
What does Jim Ratcliffe control at Manchester United?
He controls the football operations, including the men’s and women’s first teams, the academy, and recruitment strategy.
Sophie Larkin is Music News Editor at PlaylisterUK.co.uk, covering artist announcements, releases, charts, labels, streaming platforms and the UK music industry.