Ratcliffe has made his fortune as the owner of chemical powerhouse Ineos. Ratcliffe’s net worth is estimated at $14.7 billion.
Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is willing to buy Manchester United if the English soccer club goes up for sale, a spokesman for his company, Ineos Petrochemicals, said on Wednesday. The English soccer giant is currently owned by the US-based Glazer family.
However, with the team currently bottom of the Premier League following a dismal start to the season under new manager Erik ten Hag, the Glazer family are considering selling a minority stake. Manchester United last won the Premier League in 2013 and have not lifted a major trophy since 2017.
“If something like that were possible we would be interested in talking with a view to ownership long-term… Jim is looking at what can be done now and knowing how important the club is to the city, he feels like the time is right. suitable for a restart,” the Ineos spokesperson added.
Who is Jim Ratcliffe?
The Oldham-born billionaire has made his fortune as the owner of chemical powerhouse Ineos. The company, which sells synthetic oils, plastics and solvents used to make insulin and antibiotics, has an estimated turnover of $80 billion.
In 2006, Ratcliffe moved the Ineos head office to Switzerland. This reportedly helped him save £100 million ($120.4 million) a year on tax bills. Ineos also owns French Ligue 1 football club Nice, Swiss team FC Lausanne-Sport and former Team Sky cycling franchise. It also sponsors Formula One constructors’ world champions Mercedes.
Ratcliffe’s net worth is estimated at $14.7 billion and his annual salary is close to $10 million per year. Before launching Ineos in 1998, the 69-year-old made money through Inspec, a company he co-founded.
In 2019, Ratcliffe expressed an interest in buying Chelsea Football Club. However, the deal did not work out.