When you think about the richest people in England, the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth, might come to mind. And while Queen Elizabeth is incredibly wealthy, her $600 million net worth doesn’t even come close to cracking the top five wealthiest people in England. The title of the richest person in England officially goes to vacuum cleaner mogul James Dyson. The five richest people in England also include a self-made female billionaire in Bet365.com founder Denise Coates. A hedge fund manager, chemical engineer, and an actual Duke round out the list of the five richest people in England. Let’s take a look at how they built their multi-billion fortunes.
Denise Coates: $9.85 Billion
Denise Coates stands as one of the wealthiest women in the U.K. and is also the highest-paid executive and highest-earning female CEO globally. Coates is the founder and co-CEO of the betting firm Bet365.com. Over the years, she has made headlines with her impressive earnings, bringing home $277 million in salary plus an additional $57 million in dividends in 2017. In 2018, her earnings rose to $347 million, and in 2019, she achieved an astounding $422 million, totaling over a billion dollars from her position as Bet365 CEO in just three years.
Coates recognized the potential of the internet in the late 1990s and bought the Bet365.com domain in 2000. After spending a year building the website, she officially launched it in 2001. Today, Bet365 is one of the world’s biggest online gambling platforms, showcasing Coates’s vision and entrepreneurial spirit. She continues to serve as co-CEO alongside her brother John, who is also a billionaire.
Michael Platt: $10.1 Billion
Michael Platt is a prominent hedge fund manager and co-founder of BlueCrest Capital Management, a leading alternative asset management firm. He founded BlueCrest in late 2000 with Williams Reeves, after spending over a decade with JP Morgan, where he honed his skills in finance. Under his leadership, BlueCrest has evolved into one of Europe’s largest hedge funds, making significant strides in the investment world.
In 2011, Platt bought out his partner’s share, as well as the minority owner Man Group, for an impressive $633 million. His success story is a testament to his keen investment strategies and ability to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.
Hugh Grosvenor: $13.2 Billion
At just 30 years old, Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, is among the wealthiest individuals in the U.K. He inherited vast family assets following the death of his father, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, in 2016. Hugh is not only wealthy but also closely associated with the Royal Family, serving as Prince George’s godfather. His philanthropic efforts are notable, as he recently pledged $15.6 million to COVID-19 relief efforts.
Despite his immense wealth, Hugh and his siblings were raised in a relatively normal environment, attending local schools instead of the exclusive boarding schools typical for children of their status. His parents aimed to instill a sense of humility and responsibility in their children, a philosophy that resonates with the family motto: Virtus non stemma, meaning “Valor not garland.”
Jim Ratcliffe: $26.6 Billion
James Ratcliffe is a chemical engineer turned financier and industrialist, holding a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Birmingham. After starting his career at Esso, he expanded his expertise by pursuing an MBA at London Business School. Ratcliffe was one of the founders of INSPEC, which leased the former BP Chemicals site in Antwerp, Belgium, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit early on.
In 1998, Ratcliffe founded Ineos, acquiring INSPEC and taking control of the Antwerp site, which has since grown into one of the world’s largest producers of styrene monomer and polystyrene. Ratcliffe’s ownership of two-thirds of the company underscores his significant role in its success and his remarkable journey in the industrial sector.
James Dyson: $29.6 Billion
Back in 1978, James Dyson was frustrated with his family’s vacuum cleaner, leading him to create a superior version based on the principles of air movement in a cyclone. After 15 years and 5,127 prototypes, Dyson invented the first bagless vacuum cleaner. His innovative approach revolutionized the vacuum industry, showcasing how necessity can drive invention.
Dyson’s journey began with the idea of using cyclonic separation to design a vacuum cleaner that wouldn’t lose suction while picking up dirt. After leaving his job, he introduced the G-Force bagless vacuum cleaner in 1983, facing initial resistance from retailers who feared it would undermine the market for replacement vacuum bags. Despite these challenges, Dyson achieved success in Japan, where he sold the G-Force through catalogs. His determination culminated in Dyson, Ltd., which became synonymous with quality and innovation in the vacuum cleaner market.
- Denise Coates transformed online gambling with Bet365.com.
- Michael Platt grew BlueCrest Capital into a financial powerhouse.
- Hugh Grosvenor balances wealth with philanthropy and family values.
- Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos is a leader in chemical production.
- James Dyson reinvented the vacuum cleaner industry.
These stories not only highlight the incredible wealth of these individuals but also their unique paths to success. Each person has leveraged their skills and vision to create thriving businesses, demonstrating that innovation and determination can lead to extraordinary achievements.
