Money may not buy happiness, but it certainly buys power, influence, and—let’s be honest—some very nice houses. The UK’s wealthiest individuals have amassed their fortunes through diverse industries, from high-stakes finance to cutting-edge technology and even household appliances. While billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates dominate the global rich list, the UK has its own league of business titans, each with their own unique rise to success.
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Every year, rankings of the wealthiest individuals shift, but in 2025, one name has firmly secured the top spot, as per The Independent. In 2025, Michael Platt leads the charge as the richest person in the UK, followed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir James Dyson. Each of these men has carved out a financial empire, but their paths to billionaire status couldn’t be more different. But how did they do it? And what exactly does being worth billions allow them to do? Let’s find out!
The richest person in the UK: Michael Platt
Michael Platt is a name that doesn’t make as many headlines as other billionaires, but he quietly sits atop the UK’s rich list. Born in Preston, Lancashire, in 1968, Platt’s rise to wealth began early. At just 14, he received £500 from his grandmother, which he promptly invested in the Common Brothers shipping company. That investment tripled, according to The Sun, and sparked a lifelong passion for finance.
Platt went on to study mathematics and economics at the London School of Economics after a brief stint in civil engineering at Imperial College. After graduating in 1991, he joined JP Morgan, where he quickly climbed the ranks before co-founding BlueCrest Capital Management in 2000. Today, BlueCrest, where Platt is the managing director, is one of Europe's largest hedge funds. As of 2024, the company reportedly had 576 employees.
With a net worth of £14.29 billion, Platt enjoys an extravagant lifestyle. He reportedly owns a Bombardier Challenger private jet and multiple homes across London, Switzerland, and the US. Despite his vast fortune, Platt remains an enigma—even the receptionist at his own company’s London headquarters allegedly doesn’t know who he is.
Platt has also kept his personal life largely under wraps. He was previously married to Helen Sanderson, whom he wed in 1995, but the couple later divorced. Together, they have two children, with their son Marcus now working at BlueCrest, following in his father's footsteps. Platt’s current relationship status remains unknown.
The second richest person in the UK: Jim Ratcliffe
Jim Ratcliffe, better known as Sir Jim, is one of the UK’s most prominent businessmen. Born near Manchester in 1952, Ratcliffe had humble beginnings, growing up on a council estate before making his way to the University of Birmingham to study chemical engineering.
His father started as a carpenter and eventually managed a factory producing furniture for science labs, while his mother worked as a secretary. His journey to billionaire status was far from smooth.
As per The Sun, he worked for oil and gas company BP during the summer holidays and was offered a permanent position from which he was fired in just three days. Reason? Mild eczema. He explained:
I was fired for having mild eczema. I was told ‘You can’t work here, not with eczema. We can’t spend the money on training you for five years and then find you’ve got an allergy, so you’re on your bike.’
After working for various companies like Courtaulds and Advent International, Ratcliffe struck gold in 1998 when he founded INEOS, a chemicals giant that now employs 26,000 people across 29 countries. He is currently the chairman and chief executive of INEOS. His company produces 60 million tons of chemicals that are used in everything from antibiotics to food packaging.
Today, Ratcliffe's net worth sits at £13.1 billion, making him the second wealthiest person in the UK.
Ratcliffe’s passion for sports is also well-known. He owns stakes in Manchester United, the French football club OGC Nice, and the cycling team INEOS Grenadiers. He also has investments in Formula 1 and sailing’s America’s Cup.
Ratcliffe’s wealth allows him to live lavishly—he splits his time between Monaco, Lake Geneva, and a stunning £6 million estate in Hampshire. He also owns a 260ft superyacht worth £130 million.
The billionaire has been married twice. His first marriage was to Amanda Townson, with whom he has two sons, George and Samuel. The couple divorced after ten years. He also has a daughter from his second marriage to Alicia. According to The Sun, currently, Ratcliffe is believed to be in a relationship with Catherine Polli.
The third richest person in the UK: James Dyson
James Dyson is perhaps the most well-known name on this list, thanks to his revolutionary vacuum cleaners and other household appliances. Born in Norfolk in 1947, Dyson originally studied furniture and interior design at the Royal College of Art before venturing into engineering. His career took off when he designed the Sea Truck, a high-speed landing craft, followed by the Ballbarrow, an innovative wheelbarrow with a spherical wheel, as noted in Britannica Money.
His biggest breakthrough came in 1978 when he grew frustrated with his vacuum cleaner’s clogged filters. Inspired by industrial cyclone technology, he spent five years developing a bagless vacuum cleaner, testing over 5,000 prototypes. In 1993, he launched the Dual Cyclone model, which quickly became the UK’s best-selling vacuum cleaner, reports The Guardian.
Despite his success, Dyson faced setbacks, including a three-year legal battle with Hoover over patent infringement, which he eventually won.
His company has since expanded beyond vacuums to bladeless fans and air purifiers, including the Dyson Airwrap hair styler, which has gained widespread popularity. Dyson’s net worth is currently estimated at £10.8 billion.
Beyond business, Dyson has remained a staunch advocate for British engineering. He established the James Dyson Foundation to inspire young inventors and even published Against the Odds, an autobiography detailing his relentless pursuit of innovation. Although he moved his manufacturing operations to Malaysia, Dyson remains deeply involved in the UK’s engineering scene.
Dyson has always credited his family for their support throughout his journey. He is married to Deirdre Hindmarsh, an artist and designer, and together they have three children. His eldest son, Jake Dyson, has followed in his father's footsteps, becoming an inventor in his own right. His daughter, Emily Dyson, has made a name for herself in the world of fashion and retail, while his third child, Sam, has pursued a music career.
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Sources used:
The Independent: Rich list 2025: Who are the wealthiest people in the UK?
The Sun: Who is UK’s richest man Michael Platt and what is his net worth?
The Sun: Inside lavish world of Jim Ratcliffe who owns homes in Monaco, Lake Geneva, and New Forest plus two superyachts
The Guardian: The Guardian profile: James Dyson
Britannica Money: James Dyson
