Two Nottinghamshire billionaires have added many more millions to their wealth, according to The Sunday Times' Rich List. The latest list has been released as of Friday, May 20.
The list reveals there are 177 billionaires in the UK as of this year, up 6 from 2021, a year-on-year increase that is also a record. The combined wealth of the UK billionaires is £653.122 billion, up £55.853 billion, or 9.4%, on the total wealth of the billionaires in last year’s Rich List.
Mike Ashley, 57, Sports Direct founder, remains one of the region's most successful people. The headquarters of Sports Direct is based in Shirebrook, just over the border in neighbouring Derbyshire.
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The former owner of Newcastle United sold the football club in October for £305 million and he has seen his personal fortune rise by £277m in the past year. Mr Ashley is now worth £2.995 billion, making him the 59th wealthiest person in the UK.
Mr Ashley owns 58% of the Frasers Group and he was involved in an attempted rescue bid to save Debenhams, which had a store in Nottingham, in 2020. He, however, is not the only billionaire in the East Midlands region.
Derbyshire-born John Bloor, 78, added £804 million to his wealth in the past year upon the success of his £2 billion housebuilding and Triumph motorcycle businesses. He is now worth £2.079 billion and is the 85th richest person in the UK.
And Nottinghamshire’s Tony Langley, 67, also added £506 million to his wealth with the success of his engineering operation Langley Holdings, based in Retford. He is now the fourth billionaire in the East Midlands, worth £1.34 billion
Leicester-born gypsy Alfie Best, 52, is a newcomer in the East Midlands Rich List, the Sunday Times says, with a £700 million family fortune. Mr Best founded Essex-based Wyldecrest Parks in 2001.
