Jim Ratcliffe

Date of Birth: October 18, 1952

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe, commonly known as Jim Ratcliffe, is a British billionaire chemical engineer turned financier and industrialist. He was born in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, England, and is the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Ineos Group, a multinational chemicals company that he established in 1998. Ratcliffe’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the wealthiest people in the UK is a tale of entrepreneurship, strategic acquisitions, and relentless ambition. Growing up in a council house, Ratcliffe’s early life was marked by modesty. He attended Beverley Grammar School and later graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in chemical engineering in 1974. He also earned an MBA from the London Business School in 1980. After working for several companies, including BP and Esso, Ratcliffe ventured into private equity and eventually founded Ineos. Under his leadership, Ineos expanded rapidly through acquisitions and became one of the world’s largest chemical companies, with operations in various sectors including automotive, construction, and healthcare. Ratcliffe is known not only for his business acumen but also for his interests in sports. He has invested in football, owning the French club OGC Nice and the Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport. Additionally, he has been involved in competitive sailing through Ineos Team UK, which competes in the America’s Cup. Ratcliffe was knighted in 2018 for his services to business and investment. His career reflects a combination of risk-taking, strategic thinking, and a keen understanding of global markets.

5 Interesting Facts about Jim Ratcliffe

1. Jim Ratcliffe founded Ineos, one of the largest chemical companies in the world, in 1998.

2. He was knighted in 2018 for his services to business and investment.

3. Ratcliffe owns French football club OGC Nice and Swiss football club FC Lausanne-Sport.

4. He has a keen interest in competitive sailing and supports Ineos Team UK in the America’s Cup.

5. Despite his immense wealth, Ratcliffe has maintained a relatively low public profile compared to other billionaires.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jim Ratcliffe

1. “There’s only a limited number of customers you can have when you’re in the chemical industry.”

2. “The best time to buy a business is when it’s in trouble.”

3. “I wanted to build something from scratch.”

4. “Ineos is a very lean and fast-moving organization.”

5. “I don’t do business for the money. I’ve got enough, much more than I ever expected.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jim Ratcliffe’s highest net worth achieved was estimated to be around $21 billion.

Children

Jim Ratcliffe has three children. His two sons, George and Samuel, were from his first marriage, and his daughter, Julia, was from his second marriage.