UK rich list has record number of women in the rankings

A RECORD number of women have made it on to the list of the 1,000 richest people in Britain this year, with 141 female millionaires making the cut.

The country’s richest woman is Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken, 63, who runs the family beer business. She inherited her position and stake in the company from her father when he died in 2002. She appears on the list alongside her husband, Citigroup banker Michel, 73, with a fortune of £11.1billion, up £1.8billion on last year. Her rise to the title of wealthiest woman in The Sunday Times Rich List has been attributed in part to the successful launch of a new alcohol-free beer.

Topping the list is Jim Ratcliffe, 65, the chairman and CEO of Ineos, whose fortune stands at £21.05billion. His wealth is up from £15.3billion last year, which The Sunday Times says is mostly down to better details of his assets, adding £50million for two superyachts, hotel interests in the New Forest and a large property portfolio.

Ineos sells chemicals for use in the packaging, food, construction, textile, white goods, and car manufacturing industries, employing 18,500 staff. Company directors Andy Currie and John Reece shared in his fortunes, joining Ratcliffe in the top 20, taking joint 16th place with fortunes of £7billion.

Among those whose fortunes have declined is Jamie Oliver, no longer on the list, having shut some restaurants. Sir Philip Green’s fortune dropped to £2billion after the BHS collapse.

The number of people who inherited their wealth has gone down, with 94 per cent comprising self-made entrepreneurs.