The Sunday Times Rich List reveals the eight richest people in Wales
The Sunday Times Rich List reveals the eight richest people in Wales
Many on the list have lost some of their wealth over the past year
Sir Michael Moritz , Sir Terry Matthews, Simon Nixon
The richest people in Wales have been revealed as eight are named as some of the wealthiest people in the UK. Included on this year's edition of The Sunday Times Rich List is the couple behind Specsavers and the owner of Admiral.
The list was published today - May 16 - and is updated yearly. It ranks the 350 richest people in the UK and is printed in a special edition of The Sunday Times Magazine. This year's list of individuals and families have a combined wealth of £772.8bn.
The survey is based on wealth including land, property, other assets such as art and racehorses, or significant shares in publicly-quoted companies and excludes bank accounts, which the Sunday Times does not have access to.
To get a spot on the list you must have a minimum wealth of £350 million with famous names such as Sir Elton John, Lord Lloyd-Webber, Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Euan Blair, Sir Lewis Hamilton. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Since the list's peak of 177 billionaires recorded in the UK in 2022, the number has since dwindled each year to now 156 named in 2025, the sharpest decline yet.
Not only has the number of billionaires dropped but the combined wealth of the people named on the list has reduced by three percent to £772.8 billion. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Article continues below
The top five named this year all hold the same spot from last year with a staggering combined wealth of over £10bn.
Only one person made the list for the richest person in Wales under 40, founder and CEO of Net World Sports, Alex Lovén.
These are Wales' five wealthiest individuals or families according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2025.
1. Sir Michael Moritz and Harriet Heyman
(Image: PA )
Source of wealth: Venture capitalist and philanthropist
2025 wealth: £4.435bn
Yearly difference: Down £168m
National rank: 40
Cardiff-born Sir Michael Moritz, 70, is a former journalist who joined US investment house Sequoia Capital in 1986 and set up his own charitable foundation, Crankstart. He became a billionaire by making early investments into the likes of Google, PayPal, WhatsApp, YouTube, and a host of other tech giants before any other big names.
After stepping down from being in charge of Sequoia Capital in 2012 for health reasons, Moritz and his American author wife Harriet Heyman - whom he shares his billions with - set up Crankstart to support students from low-income families.
2. Simon Nixon
(Image: Western Mail )
Source of wealth: Tech entrepreneur (MoneySuperMarket)
2025 wealth: £1.95bn
Yearly difference: Up £70m
National rank: 86
In second place this year is 57-year-old Simon Nixon, who was born in Lincolnshire but grew up in Flintshire. Many will have heard of his fortune making website, MoneySuperMarket, which he co-founded in 1993.
He eventually went on to sell his shares by 2016 and now has investments in Monzo. He also makes money from his holiday home website Simon Escapes where he rents out his personal collection of luxury homes around the world from Cornwall to Malibu.
3. Douglas Perkins and family
(Image: Chris Tostevin-Hall )
Source of wealth: Opticians (Specsavers)
2025 wealth: £1.539bn
Yearly difference: Down £48m
National rank: 107
Douglas Perkins, 82, from Llanelli, and his wife Dame Mary Perkins,81, started their billion-pound fortune from a ping-pong table in their spare bedroom where they created Specsavers.
The company is now a global chain of opticians and made Perkins and his family billionaires. Read more about Douglas' life growing up in Carmarthenshire here.
4. Sir Terry Matthews
(Image: John Myers )
Source of wealth: Telecoms tycoon
2025 wealth: £1.338bn
Yearly difference: Down £2m
National rank: 119
Sir Terry Matthews was raised in Newbridge, earning a degree in electronics from Swansea University.
He began his journey as an entrepreneur in Canada where he started his telecoms equipment venture Mitel in 1973. He now also owns the Celtic Manor Resort in south Wales.
Matthews is recorded as Wales' first billionaire and was the richest man in Wales until 2012 but remains on The Sunday Times Rich List in 119th place in the UK and 4th in Wales.
5. David Sullivan and family
(Image: PA )
Source of wealth: Landlord
2025 wealth: £1.118bn
Yearly difference: Down £50m
National rank: 143
Born in Cardiff, David Sullivan, 76, earned his millions by selling pornographic content, by the age of 25. By the late 1970s he ran half of the UK's adult magazine market and 150 sex shops.
In 1982 he was convicted of living off immoral earnings and served 71 days in prison but he told the Standard in 2012 that he did not "feel embarrassed" by how he made his money.
Article continues below
Sullivan is currently the co-owner of West Ham United F.C as well as operating an investment company, Conegate, which owns property in London.
The three others who make up the top eight in Wales are house builder Steven in sixth place (158th in the UK) who is worth £988m. Henry Engelhardt and Diane Briere de l'Isle in seventh (161st in the UK) and worth £980m. Construction tycoons Dai and Richard Walters were ranked eighth in Wales (305th in the UK) and worth £418m.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Post Office confirms major change to 4,000 branches in new deal for postmasters
The Post Office has announced a change to its money transfer services across thousands of branches. The state owned firm has signed an exclusive deal with Western Union, meaning the American company will be the sole provider of the Post Office's international money transfer services. Western Union transfer services are already available across 4,000 branches but this announcement represents a further expansion. The current services let people send money to more than 200 countries and other territories worldwide. The Post Office said Western Union 'will also expand beyond the current 4,000 Post Office locations which offer its money transfer services, providing customers a reliable and convenient way to send money overseas from thousands of locations across the UK'. As part of this deal, 'postmasters and strategic partners will benefit from enhanced financial incentives for every money transfer transaction handled in branch, building on the uplift introduced in October 2024'. Post Office chief executive Neil Brocklehurst said: 'I am delighted that Western Union will be our exclusive partner in Post Office branches going forward and this deal brings important benefits for customers and postmasters alike. 'Post Offices are trusted locations which offer the reassurance of a face-to-face transaction for those who are sending or receiving money from friends and family abroad, and we are expanding the availability of these services. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'Under this new deal, postmasters and strategic partners will see more money in their pockets for each Western Union transaction which is a crucial part of the commitment to transform Post Office and deliver a new deal for postmasters.' Footfall in post offices has generally declined over the years due to a number of factors – the major contributors being a shift towards online services and post office closures. In particular, rural communities have been left with fewer options for accessing cash and financial services. More Trending It is hoped that the new partnership will increase footfall in Post Office branches. The message going forward is positive with Giovanni Angelini, the President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Western Union, saying: 'This deal marks a significant evolution in our partnership with the Post Office and reflects the mutual trust we have built over time. 'Importantly, this is a partnership based on our shared commitment to providing convenient, reliable access to cross-border financial services for customers across the UK. 'As we take this next step, our focus remains steadfast: deliver a truly integrated retail and digital experience and meet the diverse needs of customers, with scale, consistency, and confidence.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. View More » MORE: Are Post Offices and banks open on May Day bank holiday 2025? Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Rangers ‘expect success' under Russell Martin, says chief executive
The Govan club were taken over by an American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises last Friday before new sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially joined from Everton on Monday. Another key appointment for Gers was made on Friday when 39-year-old former Southampton boss Martin, who had a short loan spell as a player in Govan in 2018, was confirmed as manager. The appointment has not found universal favour among supporters but Stewart believes Martin fits the bill perfectly – albeit the former Scotland defender has to demonstrate that to his new bosses. Stewart, who started work in his role last December, said: 'Russell's appointment is the culmination of a series of steps we've been working on over the past few months since I joined Rangers. 'We started with the football review, which I spoke to the media about in January. This led to several insights and recommendations, including the need to modernise our operations and develop a clear footballing identity. 'Then the next step was to appoint a sporting director and Kevin, of course, was appointed in April and came into the building just this week. 'We also have been developing a clear football style and identity and that's work that's been going on behind the scenes. It's been led by Kevin and it's involved football people. 'We've now culminated in appointing Russell and in Russell we've got a head coach who aligns to the footballing style and identity that we've been developing. 'In addition to wanting a head coach who's going to excel in terms of the style that we're looking to play as a club, we also were looking for a head coach that's going to improve our culture, develop our squad and ultimately win matches. And Russell's been a standout candidate. 'This appointment is about building a winning team and a strong culture. 'Now, Russell's no stranger to our club, as you know, he's been a player here previously and we expect success and Russell knows that. We're really, really excited for his leadership and for him to get started.' Martin will be joined at Ibrox by assistant head coach Matt Gill and performance coach Rhys Owen. A new share issue at the club's general meeting on June 23 will raise £20million, the bulk of which will be going to the football department. Thelwell insisted that Martin will be involved in any new recruits. He said: 'When we talk about recruitment, clearly it's going to be a collaborative approach. 'I've never been in this role ever where I've signed a player for the first team that hasn't been supported by the head coach or the manager. So we'll talk a lot about how we want to play. 'We'll talk a lot about what profiles we think we need and what positions we think we need. 'And then between Russell and I, and the recruitment team, we'll sit down and identify players that we think can make us better very quickly. And then between us, we'll decide about what we do next. 'That's generally how I've worked and generally how we've discussed how it's going to work. And for me, that's probably been a good way of working so that we've got some clarity.'
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Liverpool turn down Barcelona's approach for winger Luis Diaz
The Colombia international has been a target for the LaLiga champions for some time, although he has also been attracting interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Only last month Barca's sporting director Deco publicly named Diaz, and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, when talking about their transfer plans. However, the PA news agency understands when the Catalan club made an approach to Liverpool on Wednesday they were told they had no intention of selling. Diaz turned 28 in January and has two years remaining on his current deal but it is believed there are currently no plans to open negotiations on any extension. However, with Darwin Nunez expected to depart this summer and the future of Federico Chiesa in doubt after a frustrating debut season in which he made just 14 appearances, Arne Slot's Premier League-winning forward line already looks like losing two of its members. The arrival of Florian Wirtz, with discussions ongoing with Bayer Leverkusen over the transfer fee after a recent £109million bid was rejected, will likely offset the impact of that – especially as Nunez and Chiesa contributed just nine goals between them. But it is understood potentially losing a third member of the attack would only be sanctioned if there was a bid which allows Liverpool to significantly improve the team or if the player agitated for a move. Last month Diaz told American-Spanish television channel Telemundo: 'For me, I'd stay however many years it takes.' Liverpool have already recruited Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen to strengthen their right side following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold and are looking to bolster the left with a move for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez. The Cherries value the 21-year-old Hungary international, who is keen on a move to Anfield, at £45m but Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes is currently negotiating with his former club over the fee. Liverpool have announced they would start their pre-season with a friendly at Preston on July 13, prior to them flying to Hong Kong and Japan for matches against AC Milan and Yokohama
