Sir Jim Ratcliffe Co owner Manchester United Football Club is a visionary entrepreneur who turned humble beginnings into one of the most remarkable success stories in modern industry. Born in a working-class family in Greater Manchester, he grew up in a modest household, yet always carried a deep sense of ambition. Ratcliffe’s early interest in engineering led him to earn a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Birmingham, followed by an MBA from the prestigious London Business School. But it was his relentless drive, determination, and willingness to take risks that transformed his career and ultimately the global business landscape.
In 1998, Ratcliffe founded INEOS, starting with a small loan and an idea to reshape the chemical industry. Through bold acquisitions and an uncompromising focus on efficiency, he built INEOS into a multi-billion dollar empire, making it one of the largest chemical companies in the world. His leadership is characterised by vision, resilience, and a refusal to accept limits, which earned him a reputation as one of the UK’s most fearless business leaders. Beyond his industrial empire, Ratcliffe’s passion extends to sports and philanthropy, investing in everything from football clubs to eco-friendly automotive innovations. Knighted for his contribution to the British economy, Sir Jim Ratcliffe embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship, turning challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality. His journey is a testament to how audacity, hard work, and vision can lead to global success.
From a single site in Antwerp bought for £84 million and employing just 400 people, INEOS has grown exponentially since it was formed in May 1998. Here is an overview of the key milestones in our short history. Today INEOS is a global chemical company. Our products touch every aspect of modern day life. We comprise 36 businesses with 194 sites in 29 countries throughout the world. INEOS also encompasses consumer brands and sports interests.
In 2017, INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe, a car enthusiast and experienced adventurer, identified a gap in the market for a stripped back, utilitarian, hard-working 4×4 engineered for modern day compliance and reliability. INEOS Automotive Limited was formed and a senior team of automotive professionals assembled to bring the vision to reality with a fresh perspective of 4×4 development and manufacturing. Combining rugged British spirit with German engineering rigour, the Grenadier will be a truly uncompromising 4×4 built from the ground up. Engineered to overcome all conditions, it will provide best-in-class off-road capability, durability and reliability to those who depend on a vehicle as a working tool, wherever they are in the world.