THE wealthiest people in the North East have been revealed as The Sunday Times releases its rich-list - and one of them has made the list for the very first time.

The Sunday Times has today published the latest 2022 edition of the famous list which reveals 250 of the wealthiest people in Britain.

With the usual heavy-hitters reaching the top rungs of the rich-list ladder, such as James Dyson, there are a few billionaires and millionaires with connections to the region.

Mike Ashley

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Mike Ashley, former owner of Newcastle United Football Club and chief executive of Fraser Group, has been named the richest person with links the North East.

Mr Ashley ranks number 59 on the top 250 list with a net worth of £2.995 billion, a rise of £277 million, seeing him jump up a few places from rank 61 last year.

He owes his fortune to his ownership of Sports Direct and being former owner to Newcastle United Football Club before selling it to David and Simon Reuben, who rank number 3 on the rich list with £22.265 billion.

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty

Darlington and Stockton Times: Rishi Sunank and Akshata Murty Picture: PA IMAGESRishi Sunank and Akshata Murty Picture: PA IMAGES (Image: NQ)

However, also on the list, for the first time ever, is MP for Richmond and Chancellor Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty.

The two rank number 222, making the list for the first time, with a net worth of £730 million thanks to their investment in technology and hedge funds.

Last month it was revealed that Ms Murty had a non-dom tax status, which it was estimated saved her £20 million in taxes on dividends from her family’s shares in Infosys.

She later agreed to pay foreign taxes on her UK income and Mr Sunak was cleared of breaching ministerial code.

INEOS

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Also on the list is North East businessman Andrew Currie, who is director of chemical company Ineos, and who was born in the North East.

He ranks number 84 with a net worth of £2.118 billion, a fall of £102million from last year.

John Reece, educated in Sunderland, also makes the list for his role as chief financial officer and minority shareholder for Ineos.

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