Why does Sir Jim Ratcliffe have a knighthood?

By
published

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a rich history in sport and business

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe speaks during a media event to unveil the company's "Ineos Fusilier" outside the Grenadier public House in London on February 23, 2024. Manchester United new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe unveiled Friday his Ineos group's latest 4x4 electric vehicle, while calling on governments to understand the limitations of climate-friendly vehicles.

Ratcliffe is hoping to make signings early 

 (Image credit: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

New Manchester United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already overseen a number of major changes at Old Trafford since his arrival earlier in 2024.

Ratcliffe's INEOS regime have already overseen a changing of the guard among Manchester United's background staff, bringing in a new recruitment team consisting of Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth, who is yet to be officially confirmed. 

Over the past few days, however, has overseen the biggest call so far, opting to keep Erik ten Hag at the helm following his FA Cup success, despite a record-low finish in the Premier League this season. With such authority over one of the world's biggest clubs, we've asked: Who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and why has he been knighted?

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

The FA Cup win is thought to have played a major role in Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Why has Sir Jim Ratcliffe been knighted?

Ratcliffe bought a chemical plant in Antwerp in 1998 for £84 million just six years after starting out in the chemicals industry. This plant paved the way to form Ineos, Ratcliffe's current company seen sponsoring many of the biggest sports teams in the world.

Ineos, put simply, is a manufacturer and distributor of petrochemicals and other oils which now has 36 different companies under its umbrella, making them one of the world's biggest chemical companies.

This success has led to Ratcliffe becoming Britain's second-wealthiest figure in recent years, leading to his purchase of a large stake in his boyhood club, Manchester United.

Ratcliffe was knighted in 2018 for his services to business and investment on the 30th anniversary of Ineos' birth.

He has since become a major figure in sports sponsorship, holding large influence over the Mercedes Formula One team as well as performance partner to New Zealand’s rugby union teams and supported Eliud Kipchoge’s bid to run a sub two-hour marathon.

The Red Devils become Ineos' third European club, having already invested in Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport in 2017 and acquired Ligue 1 club Nice two years later.

Get a free live stream to watch Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world ahead of the summer's big tournament

More Manchester United stories

Manchester United make bold proposal to land promising attacker: report

Patrick Vieira reveals how he orchestrated infamous Roy Keane showdown in Highbury tunnel incident

Manchester United face Chelsea battle to land breakout Premier League star: report

James Ridge

James Ridge is a freelance journalist based in the UK. He recently spent time with The United Stand as an online news editor and has covered the beautiful game from England’s eighth tier all the way to the Premier League.