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| Rich List 2018: Jim Ratcliffe is UK's richest man | Rich List 2018: Jim Ratcliffe is UK's richest man |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A businessman who once lived in a council house near Manchester is the richest person in the UK, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. | A businessman who once lived in a council house near Manchester is the richest person in the UK, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. |
| Jim Ratcliffe, who founded chemical firm Ineos, topped the list with an estimated worth of £21.05bn - after coming 18th last year. | Jim Ratcliffe, who founded chemical firm Ineos, topped the list with an estimated worth of £21.05bn - after coming 18th last year. |
| Two of the company's directors are also on the list, which ranks Britain's wealthiest 1,000 people or families. | Two of the company's directors are also on the list, which ranks Britain's wealthiest 1,000 people or families. |
| Jamie Oliver and fashion tycoon Sir Philip Green saw their fortunes drop. | Jamie Oliver and fashion tycoon Sir Philip Green saw their fortunes drop. |
| Mr Ratcliffe, 65, moved from the council house in Failsworth to East Yorkshire as a boy. | Mr Ratcliffe, 65, moved from the council house in Failsworth to East Yorkshire as a boy. |
| He went to Beverley Grammar School, studied chemical engineering at Birmingham University, and got an MBA from London Business School, according to a Financial Times profile. | He went to Beverley Grammar School, studied chemical engineering at Birmingham University, and got an MBA from London Business School, according to a Financial Times profile. |
| His father, who was a joiner, went on to run a factory that made laboratory furniture, while his mother worked in an accounts office. | His father, who was a joiner, went on to run a factory that made laboratory furniture, while his mother worked in an accounts office. |
| Mr Ratcliffe's firm is currently locked in a legal battle with the Scottish government over its moratorium on fracking. | Mr Ratcliffe's firm is currently locked in a legal battle with the Scottish government over its moratorium on fracking. |
| His wealth leapt by £15bn in the past year - partly because of a revaluation of his assets. He is the first UK-born person to top the rich list since the Duke of Westminster in 2003. | |
| Mr Ratcliffe has been on expeditions to the North and South Poles, has run marathons, and is a Manchester United fan. | Mr Ratcliffe has been on expeditions to the North and South Poles, has run marathons, and is a Manchester United fan. |
| In 2015, he said the UK could thrive outside the European Union. "The Brits are perfectly capable of managing the Brits and don't need Brussels telling them how to manage things," he said. | In 2015, he said the UK could thrive outside the European Union. "The Brits are perfectly capable of managing the Brits and don't need Brussels telling them how to manage things," he said. |
| "I just don't believe in the concept of a United States of Europe. It's not viable." | "I just don't believe in the concept of a United States of Europe. It's not viable." |
| In 2016, he told the BBC the government needed "backbone" when negotiating its exit from the EU. | In 2016, he told the BBC the government needed "backbone" when negotiating its exit from the EU. |
| At second place in the list were the Hinduja brothers, Sri and Gopi, worth £20.64bn. Their fortune jumped by £4.44 billion from 2017. | At second place in the list were the Hinduja brothers, Sri and Gopi, worth £20.64bn. Their fortune jumped by £4.44 billion from 2017. |
| British-American industrialist-turned-media mogul Sir Len Blavatnik came in third place with £15.26bn. | British-American industrialist-turned-media mogul Sir Len Blavatnik came in third place with £15.26bn. |
| Sir Philip Green's estimated fortune fell by £787m to £2bn - partly because of his decision to contribute £363m to the BHS pension deficit. | Sir Philip Green's estimated fortune fell by £787m to £2bn - partly because of his decision to contribute £363m to the BHS pension deficit. |
| Jamie Oliver fell off the list entirely, after problems at his restaurant group. | Jamie Oliver fell off the list entirely, after problems at his restaurant group. |
| In total, 141 women are on the rich list, with Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, of the brewing dynasty, ranked highest at number six. | In total, 141 women are on the rich list, with Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, of the brewing dynasty, ranked highest at number six. |
| Robert Watts, who compiled the list, said: "Britain is changing. Gone are the days when old money and a small band of industries dominated the Sunday Times Rich List. | Robert Watts, who compiled the list, said: "Britain is changing. Gone are the days when old money and a small band of industries dominated the Sunday Times Rich List. |
| "Aristocrats and inherited wealth has been elbowed out of the list and replaced by an army of self-made entrepreneurs. | "Aristocrats and inherited wealth has been elbowed out of the list and replaced by an army of self-made entrepreneurs. |
| "Today's super rich include people who have set up businesses selling chocolate, sushi, pet food and eggs. | "Today's super rich include people who have set up businesses selling chocolate, sushi, pet food and eggs. |
| "We're seeing more people from humble backgrounds, who struggled at school or who didn't even start their businesses until well into middle age." | "We're seeing more people from humble backgrounds, who struggled at school or who didn't even start their businesses until well into middle age." |