Manchester United and Bath Rugby investors Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir James Dyson have lost a combined £10 billion over the past year, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.
Dyson's Wealth Plummets
Sir James Dyson, who earlier this year purchased 50 per cent of Premiership Rugby club Bath, saw his family's wealth fall by £8.8 billion, from £20.8 billion to £12 billion between 2025 and 2026. The Sunday Times reports that "Donald Trump’s tariffs partly explain the lower revenues" at Dyson's electronics firm.
Ratcliffe's Decline
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns around a third of Premier League club Manchester United, saw his wealth fall by £1.8 billion, from approximately £17 billion to £15 billion across the same period. The decline is attributed to "rising debt, falling revenues and a £515.7 million loss," which led Rich List compilers to lower the value of his petrochemicals giant Ineos to £17 billion.
Rich List Overview
The annual rich list is topped by investors Sanjay and Dheeraj Hinduja and their family at £38 billion, with Newcastle United minority owners David and Simon Reuben second at £28 billion, ahead of DAZN majority owner Sir Leonard Blavatnik with £26.8 billion. The list notes that "there are now 157 UK billionaires, 20 less than four years ago," and "the minimum entry level dips to £340 million – another indicator of a subdued year."
Ratcliffe's Sports Interests
Ratcliffe is involved in multiple sports, including grand tour cycling with his Ineos Grenadiers, which this month signed an £85 million title sponsorship deal with tech firm Netcompany, as well as Formula 1 with Mercedes and a number of European football clubs.
Compilers' Comments
Robert Watts, compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, said: "Many foreign billionaires who have been living in the UK have also dropped out because they have moved away. We have also seen a sharp rise in the number of British nationals now resident in Dubai, Switzerland and Monaco. As UK nationals these people remain on our Rich List – wherever they now live."
