FX.co ★ Wealthiest British billionaires

Michael Platt

Michael Platt, co-founder and CEO of BlueCrest Capital Management, tops the list of Britain’s wealthiest individuals. His net worth is estimated at nearly $19 billion, making him not only the richest man in the UK but also one of the top 110 wealthiest individuals globally. A former J.P. Morgan trader, Platt founded BlueCrest in 2000 and turned it into one of the world’s largest private hedge funds, with offices in London and abroad.

James Ratcliffe

Sir James Ratcliffe, the founder and majority owner of chemical giant Ineos Group, is in second place, with a fortune of $16.6 billion. He ranks 131st globally among billionaires. Ineos is a major player in Britain’s energy and chemicals sector, expanding aggressively into shale gas and growing through acquisitions. In 2021, the company acquired two divisions from BP. Ratcliffe also owns 28% of Manchester United Football Club.

James Dyson

Third on the list is Sir James Dyson, engineer, inventor, and founder of the tech firm Dyson, famous for its Supersonic hair dryers, hair stylers, vacuum cleaners, hand dryers, and air purifiers. His net worth stands at $15 billion. Since founding the company in 1991, Dyson has brought together over 5,000 engineers worldwide. In 2007, he was knighted for his contributions to British industry and continues to oversee key technological developments in the company.

The Reuben brothers

David and Simon Reuben rank fourth. They are influential investors in real estate, technology, and infrastructure, each with an estimated fortune of $13.1 billion. They started their wealth journey in metals and carpet trading, later focusing on property and data centers. In 2016, they sold 49% of GlobalSwitch to Chinese investors for nearly $3 billion. Today, the Reuben brothers also own 14% of Newcastle United Football Club, acquired in 2021.

Christopher Hohn

Sir Christopher Hohn, founder of the hedge fund The Children’s Investment Fund (TCI), rounds out the top five. He is one of the most prominent activist investors in the global financial scene. His net worth is $9 billion. Hohn began his career after earning degrees in Southampton and an MBA from Harvard. He launched TCI in 2003, focusing on aggressive asset management and influencing corporate policy. He was knighted in 2014 for his philanthropic and international development efforts.