Sir James 'Jim' Arthur Ratcliffe, K.T., is a British businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder, Chairman, and Majority Owner of INEOS Group, a massive global chemical powerhouse. Born in Failsworth, Lancashire, in 1952, he grew up in a council house until age ten; his father was a joiner who later ran a factory.

Ratcliffe received a rigorous education: a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Birmingham University and an MBA from London Business School. His career began in industrial roles at Courtaulds and Esso. His philosophy centers on aggressive, high-yield expansion through leveraged buyouts (LBOs) and operational cost-cutting, earning him a reputation for being very stubborn and very determined.

• INEOS Group (Founder, Chairman & Majority Owner): The core private asset, a global chemical and petrochemical giant (producing synthetic oils, plastics, and solvents for insulin and antibiotics). Revenue reached $68 billion in 2022.
• LBO Strategy: His success is built on acquiring unwanted commodity businesses from industry giants (BP, ICI, BASF) using high-yield debt.
• Sports Ownership: He holds a 28 percent stake in Manchester United (Premier League) and owns Team INEOS (cycling).
• Environmental Pioneer: He is leading investments in green hydrogen production (over €2 billion commitment).

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's entrepreneurial journey began in 1992 when he mortgaged his house to lead the buyout of a BP chemicals business (Inspec). In 1998, he formed INEOS to buy out Inspec, growing the company by acquiring over 20 unwanted commodity businesses in the first decade. His strategic genius was the use of high-yield debt combined with immediate, aggressive cost-cutting (short, sharp, shock tactic).

His diversification includes energy and sports: INEOS became a major player in U.K. shale gas and pioneered the use of Dragon Ships to transport U.S. shale gas into Europe. In early 2024, he acquired a 28 percent stake in Manchester United for $1.5 billion, taking charge of football operations. His wealth, estimated at $17 billion (Nov 2025 estimate), is tied to the colossal, long-term profitability of the global petrochemical and energy sectors.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's social impact is structural, stemming from INEOS's role as a massive global employer (26,000 employees) and a foundational supplier of essential chemicals for health (insulin, antibiotics) and industry. His commitment to green hydrogen and decarbonization through the €2 billion investment is a major structural contribution to the clean energy transition.

His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives. His career is a testament to the profitability of disciplined LBO strategies and industrial consolidation in the high-stakes chemical sector.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe maintains the pragmatic, low-key style of an industrialist. His attire is consistently professional and unostentatious, preferring functionality over flashiness. His aesthetic reflects his stability, his engineering background, and his passion for extreme sports (marathons, sailing).

Residing in London, U.K., his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to industrial scale, resource control, and his profound commitment to sports ownership and green energy investment.