From a three-day career at BP to the heights of British wealth

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: After being fired from BP just three days into his role due to a skin condition, Jim Ratcliffe built a chemical empire. Today, the INEOS founder is one of the UK's wealthiest individuals, wielding immense influence over global industries and even the future of Manchester United.

Jim Ratcliffe’s ascent began with a setback. A chemical engineer who graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1974, his initial stint at BP ended abruptly after only three days when the company deemed his eczema a risk for working around toxic chemicals. Undeterred, he transitioned through roles at Esso and Courtaulds before founding the INEOS group in 1998.

His business strategy relied on a high-stakes model: using high-yield debt to acquire underperforming assets from giants like BP and ICI. By targeting operations with the potential to double their earnings within five years, he expanded INEOS into a global powerhouse. This expansion included the 2006 acquisition of BP's Innovene arm and a 2007 move into the European polymers market via Norsk Hydro.

Ratcliffe's influence extends far beyond the laboratory. He is a prominent figure in professional sports, owning the Swiss club Lausanne-Sport and the French side Nice. In February 2024, he secured a minority stake in Manchester United, taking control of the club's sporting operations. However, his business maneuvers are often accompanied by controversy, ranging from moving his tax residence to Monaco in 2020—a move estimated to save £4 billion—to facing criticism over environmental compliance and political statements.

Despite the friction, his industrial footprint is massive, including significant investments in UK oil infrastructure and ambitious €2 billion plans for green hydrogen production across Europe. Whether through the production of the Grenadier utility vehicle or sponsorship of Mercedes AMG F1, Ratcliffe remains a central, if polarizing, figure in modern industry.

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