James Ratcliffe
James Ratcliffe
James Ratcliffe is a British business magnate and philanthropist who was born in Failsworth, Lancashire on October 18, 1952. He grew up in a council house with his parents and attended the University of Birmingham where he earned a degree in chemical engineering.
After graduation, Ratcliffe worked for Esso as a chemical engineer before moving on to become a trader at EniChem. In 1992, he founded his own company called Ineos, which began as a small venture but later became one of the largest chemical companies in the world.
Under Ratcliffe's leadership, Ineos grew through a series of strategic acquisitions, eventually becoming a conglomerate with interests in chemicals, oil and gas, and renewable energy. Ineos has operations in 34 countries and employs over 22,000 people worldwide.
In addition to his business success, Ratcliffe is also known for his philanthropy. He has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, health, and the environment. He established the Ineos Charitable Trust in 2011, which supports communities where Ineos operates and focuses on youth development, education, and environmental conservation.
Ratcliffe is a private person and rarely gives interviews, but he has been recognized for his achievements and contributions. He was knighted in 2018 for his services to business, and in 2020 he was named the UK's richest person by The Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated net worth of £17.5 billion.
Despite his wealth, Ratcliffe is described as down-to-earth and has a passion for sports, particularly skiing and cycling. He currently resides in Monaco with his family.