By Xscore – May 2025
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire industrialist and co-owner of Manchester United, has seen a dramatic drop in his personal fortune. The 2025 Sunday Times Rich List reveals a staggering £6.5 billion loss over the past year, reducing his estimated net worth from £23.5 billion to £17 billion. This 28% decline has pushed Ratcliffe from second to seventh on the list of the UK’s wealthiest individuals (The Times).
INEOS: Debt Burden and Dividend Cuts
Ratcliffe’s financial foundation lies in INEOS, the global chemicals conglomerate he founded in 1998. While once a symbol of rapid industrial success, the company is now grappling with mounting financial pressure.
According to The Independent, INEOS reported losses of £124.4 million last year, and the company’s debt has ballooned to over £8.8 billion. The situation worsened when the group announced it would suspend dividend payments after total debt exceeded €10 billion (The Independent).
This downturn in INEOS’s financial performance has significantly contributed to the fall in Ratcliffe’s net worth.
Manchester United: Poor Form, Layoffs & Uncertain Future
In 2024, Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7% stake in Manchester United, becoming a co-owner and taking charge of football operations. But his entry into the football world has not been smooth.
The club is currently 16th in the Premier League, sparking criticism from fans and pundits. On top of that, the financial toll of poor performances has been felt internally — hundreds of redundancies have already taken place, and further layoffs could follow.
“If United fails to win the Europa League final against Tottenham, the club could miss out on up to £100 million in revenue,” reported The Scottish Sun (The Scottish Sun).
The final, seen as a crucial opportunity to secure both financial relief and fan support, is being touted as a make-or-break moment for Ratcliffe’s Man Utd project.
The £2 Billion Dream Stadium
Ratcliffe’s ambitions go beyond the pitch. He has proposed building a new 100,000-capacity “Wembley of the North” stadium — an audacious £2 billion project to be completed before the 2030-31 season. While hailed as visionary, critics argue it’s an expensive gamble at a time when both his business and club are under pressure (BBC Sport).
Still a Power Player in Sport
Despite recent setbacks, Ratcliffe remains a prominent figure in the sports world. His INEOS Sports division owns Ligue 1 club OGC Nice, sponsors the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team, and is partnered with the Mercedes-AMG Formula One team.
His continued influence in multiple elite sports suggests that Ratcliffe is in no rush to retreat from the public stage, even if the road ahead is financially rockier.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Year Ahead
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £6.5 billion wealth loss underscores how even billionaires are vulnerable to shifting markets and underperforming ventures. As INEOS faces financial strain and Manchester United battles both on and off the field, the next 12 months will be critical.
The Europa League final, stadium developments, and restructuring at INEOS could either help restore confidence in Ratcliffe’s empire — or deepen the challenges he now faces.
