Ratcliffe, 72, saw his fortune shrink from £23.5 billion to £17 billion.
Image credit: Frank (fan)
British billionaire and Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has witnessed a staggering financial downturn, with his personal wealth declining by over £6.4 billion in the past year.
This sharp drop—equating to more than a quarter of his fortune—was revealed in the latest Sunday Times Rich List, where Ratcliffe fell from 4th to 7th place among the UK’s wealthiest individuals.
Ratcliffe, 72, saw his fortune shrink from £23.5 billion to £17 billion amid mounting pressures across his vast business empire.
The decline reflects broader challenges in the petrochemicals industry, as well as the high-profile financial decisions he’s made since acquiring a stake in one of the world’s most iconic football clubs.
A High-Stakes Investment in Manchester United
In February 2024, Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group secured a 27.7% stake in Manchester United in a landmark deal worth approximately £1.25 billion.
Along with that investment came control over football operations—a decision that placed the tycoon at the heart of Old Trafford’s ambitions and criticisms alike.
Almost immediately, Ratcliffe made headlines for implementing controversial cost-cutting measures, including ticket price hikes and two rounds of staff redundancies.
While these moves drew backlash from supporters and observers, Ratcliffe defended them in a candid BBC interview, revealing that the club was on the verge of running out of cash without immediate intervention.
“Unpopular decisions had to be made,” he explained, emphasizing the urgent need for financial discipline to restore stability to the club.
Building for the Future
Despite the cuts, Ratcliffe has maintained a vision of long-term investment.
Manchester United recently unveiled plans for a new 100,000-capacity stadium, an “iconic” £2 billion development intended to breathe fresh life into the club’s infrastructure and commercial prospects.
The new venue is slated to be constructed near the current Old Trafford site and could become one of Europe’s largest football arenas.
Crucially, Ratcliffe insists that the broader financial challenges faced by Ineos will not derail these ambitions.
Ineos Under Pressure
Outside of football, Ineos has also been navigating turbulent waters.
The company pulled out of its sponsorship deal with New Zealand Rugby earlier this year and ended its partnership with British Olympic sailing legend Sir Ben Ainslie, who had received support for his America’s Cup pursuits since 2018.
These strategic withdrawals were attributed to a wider program of cost-saving, as Ineos struggles with industry headwinds in Europe—including steep energy costs, aggressive carbon taxes, and a general decline in heavy industry.
The conglomerate cited the “deindustrialisation of Europe” as a significant factor behind its recalibrated priorities.
Sporting Fortunes Rise Elsewhere
While Ratcliffe’s fortune has taken a hit, several high-profile British athletes are enjoying an upward trajectory.
Golf star Rory McIlroy, boxer Anthony Joshua, tennis champion Sir Andy Murray, and England football captain Harry Kane have all seen increases in their net worth, according to the Sunday Times’ “40 Under 40” list.
Rory McIlroy topped the sporting chart after boosting his wealth from £225 million to £260 million, particularly following his career Grand Slam win at the Masters.
Anthony Joshua, despite being out of the ring since his loss to Daniel Dubois, holds £195 million.
Andy Murray, who officially retired from tennis in August, still commands a fortune of £110 million.
Harry Kane, now a Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich, reached £100 million after adding £25 million this year.
Manchester United’s Season on the Brink
With Manchester United currently languishing in 16th place in the Premier League and just two fixtures left, the club’s hopes for silverware and Champions League qualification now rest on a single match.
