Nottingham Rich List 2024: The 8 richest people from the East Midlands and how much they're worth

In its annual list, Insider Media has named the 100 richest people in the Midlands, with tycoons from in and around Nottingham featuring prominently on the latest list.

The list features well-known names from major companies across the Midlands, including Nottingham-born fashion designer Sir Paul Smith and Tony Langley, who owns Nottinghamshire-based engineering firm Langley Holdings. 

This year’s Rich List puts the combined wealth of the Midlands’ wealthiest business leaders at £51.79bn - up £4.9bn on last year’s figures.

That’s an increase of £4.9bn on last year’s data - with Staffordshire JCB owner Lord Anthony Bamford topping the overall list with his personal wealth rising by a whopping 60 per cent to £9.45bn.

The Insider Rich List has been compiled by Rober Watts, who also puts together the Sunday Times Rich Lists.

Below are the 10 richest people from in and around Nottingham, according to the Insider list.

The 10 richest people in the East Midlands for 2024

1. Mike Ashley

Worth: £3.828bn

Business interests: Retail and Sports equipment

The former squash coach has been trying to add upmarket handbag maker Mulberry to his retail empire.

Ashley’s parent company Frasers wraps in Sports Direct, Evans Cycles, Jack Wills, and brands including Slazenger and Lonsdale.

His stake in the Mansfield-based operation is now worth £2.638bn, down £34m since last year.

2. John Bloor

Worth: £3.5bn

Business interests: Construction and motorcycles

A plasterer in his youth, Bloor has become a leading house builder and injected life into the Triumph motorcycle brand.

The Derbyshire-based billionaire paid himself £18.7m of dividends last year despite lower profits.

3. Tony Langley and family

Worth: £1.450bn

Business interests: Engineering

Langley’s global group spans power generation, printing presses, cement manufacturing, and engineering equipment.

Profits at the industrialist’s Retford-based conglomerate recovered to £104.4m last year.

4. The Kirkland family

Worth: £683m

Business interests: Construction

Derbyshire house builder Bowmer and Kirkland is chaired by Jack Kirkland, owned by his family, and worth its £591.8m net assets – up £18.6m on the previous year.

Kirkland was one of the business leaders to pledge public support to Sir Keir Starmer ahead of this summer’s general election.

5. David Clowes and family

Worth: £325m

Business interests: Property

A former British Midland pilot, Clowes now runs his family’s £296.5m property empire.

He bought championship football team Derby County in 2022 but is considering selling up to 80 per cent of his shares to pull more money into the club.

6. Mel Morris

Worth: £312m

Business interests: Games and internet

After leaving school at 16 and working as a flooring salesman, Morris made his first £20m fortune from uDate, an early dating website, another £10m from an internet security venture, then hit the big time with his third venture King, the developer of the hit mobile game Candy Crush, which floated at £450m.

Morris would be a lot wealthier were it not for the millions he poured into Championship football team Derby County.

7. Sir Paul and Lady Smith

Worth: £220m

Business interests: Fashion

Paul Smith’s wife Pauline Denyer first encouraged him to try his hand at making clothes.

They opened their first shop in Nottingham in 1970, and have since dressed everyone from David Bowie and Harrison Ford to Jenna Ortega and Noel Gallagher.

Their fashion empire’s sales climbed to £212.6m last year, and they have a property firm worth £61.3m. 

8. Peter Gadsby and family

Worth: £201m

Business interests: Construction and property

Gadsby has sold two house builders over the years and retains his Derby-based investment firm Ark Capital.

Net assets there have grown by £1m over the past year.