The Midlands is home to some of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs, with a wealth of billionaires who have made their mark in industries ranging from online gambling and engineering to retail and motorcycles.
We’ve analysed Forbes’ real-time billionaire list, which tracks the net worth of the world’s wealthiest people each day. According to Forbes, the nine richest billionaires in the region have built empires that span across diverse sectors, from Denise Coates’ dominance in online gambling with Bet365 to John Caudwell’s fortunes from mobile phone retailing.
These business magnates have not only amassed personal fortunes but also shaped the economic landscape of the Midlands.
5. John Caudwell ($3.2bn)
Caudwell founded the mobile phone retailer Phones 4u. Raised in a working-class family in Birmingham, Caudwell and his brother Brian began selling mobile phones in 1987. In 1993, the brothers launched Singlepoint, a mobile service provider that was acquired by Vodafone in 2003 for $650 million. Caudwell invested his share of the proceeds into Phones 4u, which became the UK's largest independent mobile phone retailer. | Getty Images
6. Tony Langley ($2.4bn)
Langley is the owner of Langley Holdings, an engineering and manufacturing powerhouse based in Nottinghamshire. Langley founded the business in 1975 at the age of 20, using the remnants of his grandfather's failed engineering firm. He initially launched Langley Mining, selling equipment to the UK coal industry, before expanding to steel, oil and gas sectors. In 2000, Langley diversified further by acquiring Clarke Chapman, a crane manufacturer, from Rolls Royce. Today, Langley Holdings employs approximately 5,200 people across more than 90 subsidiaries and generates annual revenues of around $1.3 billion. | Forbes
7. Simon Nixon ($1.9bn)
Nixon - born in Stamford, Lincolnshire - made the majority of his wealth from his price-comparison website, MoneySuperMarket. He co-founded the company in 1993, took it public in 2007, and sold all his shares by 2016. Nixon has since invested in numerous private companies, including Airbnb, Robinhood, and Wise (formerly Transferwise), before they went public. He also owns luxury properties worldwide, including in Malibu and Barbados, which he rents out for private holidays through his website, SimonEscapes. | Facebook
8. John Bloor ($1.9bn)
Bloor is a major player in the UK construction industry through his company Bloor Homes, and he also owns the iconic motorcycle brand, Triumph Motorcycles. Born in Derbyshire, he left school at 15 and started as a plastering apprentice before building his first house before turning 20. Today, Bloor Homes, which remains privately held, constructs over 3,500 homes annually. In 1983, Bloor acquired the manufacturing rights for Triumph motorcycles. He and his son Nick have since revitalised the brand, which became legendary thanks to riders like Marlon Brando, James Dean and Steve McQueen. | Forbes