The Sunday Times Rich List has been revealed for 2022 – and it shows that the wealthiest people in the UK have grown their fortunes to a record £170 billion this year.
The annual list details the wealthiest 250 people in the UK and, alongside the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, this year’s super-rich list features ten people from the North West – including a couple of lads from Salford.
According to The Times, Rishi Sunak is the first-ever frontline political figure to feature in its list since it began in 1989. He and his wife, Akshata Murty, join the 2022 list with a combined £730m fortune just days after the Chancellor told people the ‘next few months will be tough’.
This year’s list also includes a record number of 177 UK billionaires, six more than in 2021,
The full list, now in its 34th year, shows that whilst millions in the country are enduring extreme hardships as UK inflation hits its highest rate in 40 years, those at the other end of the scale are still enjoying all the spoils of the free market.
ADVERTISEMENT
As The Timesitself states: “This year’s analysis shows a golden era for the super rich has continued unchecked.
“This year’s top 250 now have more wealth than the entire 1,000 entries of the 2017 Rich List.”
On the 2022 North West list, Michael Platt, a 53-year-old Preston-born hedge fund manager and Tory donor who resides in Switzerland, has seen his fortune rise by £2bn in a year to make him the wealthiest in the region.
In 2020, Platt’s hedge fund BlueCrest Capital Management was fined $170million for misleading its investors and was accused of using a separate fund, run by its top traders, that invested employee’s money.
ADVERTISEMENT
Platt has knocked the Cheshire-based 7th Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, off the top spot – placing Prince George’s billionaire godfather at second place in the North West with a fortune of £9.726bn.
In third place is Jim Ratcliffe, the Oldham-born CEO of the Ineos chemical group. Worth £6.075bn, he has recently made headlines for making a failed bid to buy Chelsea football club – leading to speculation that he may now turn his attention to Manchester United instead.
63-year-old Liverpudlian Tom Morris, the founder of the ever-popular Home Bargains, is fourth on the regional list – £766 million richer than last year.
Rochdale brothers Mohsin and Zuber, the Lancashire-born founders of Euro Garages and new majority shareholders in Asda, have increased their wealth by £50m. The duo is now worth £4.73bn.
Sixth on the list are B&M founders Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora with a combined wealth of £2.543bn, followed by former Trafford Centre owner John Whittaker (of the Peel Group) at £1.6bn.
Henry Moser of Cheadle-based finance group Together sits in ninth place with a fortune of £1.565bn, and last on the list are Fred and Peter Done, owners of the bookmaking chain Betfred.
The Rich List bases its findings on what is called ‘identifiable wealth’, meaning that which can be publicly seen. This includes values of land, property, art, horses, and shares in public companies.
The paper is unable to access bank accounts or other private finance records. The full list can be viewed on The Times website here.
Feature image – Flickr / Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia
News
Tribute paid to former Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner who died in a crash in Gatley
Emily Sergeant
The family of a former Race Across the World star who died following a collision last week have paid a touching tribute to him.
Sam Gardiner rose to public attention when he competed with his mother, Jo, in the second series of the BBC’s Race Across The World, but sadly, the 24-year-old lost his life during a collision in Gatley at the beginning of last week.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that Sam was the driver of a white VW Golf R estate that was involved in a single-vehicle collision on Monday 26 May.
The collision occurred on the A34 in Gatley, and Sam has since passed away from his injuries.
Sam Gardiner and his mum Jo, who competed on BBC’s Race Across the World / Credit: GMP
At the time of his tragic death, Sam was working as landscape gardener and had been based on an isolated estate on the west coast of Scotland, but was home in Manchester for a family gathering.
Sam was described by his parents as a ‘loyal, funny, and fiercely protective’ young man in the tribute paid to him.
Their tribute reads in full: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident. Sam left us far too soon, and whilst words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special.
“Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective.
#APPEAL | Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal for information following a serious road traffic collision on A34 in Gatley on Monday 26 May at 9.50pm.
Call us on 0161 856 4741 quoting 3306 26/05/25 with any information.
— Stockport Police (GMP) (@GMPStockport) May 27, 2025
“He did Race Across The World in 2019, which opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel. He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland.
“Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went.
“He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade”.
At this time, Sam’s family have asked for privacy whilst they begin to come to terms with the terrible loss, and are being supported by specialist GMP officers.
Featured Image – GMP / Family Handout
News
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Georgina Pellant -
20th May 2022 
