Yahoo News Newcastle United co-owners retain top spot on Sunday Times North East Rich List
Newcastle United co-owners the Reuben family have retained their position as the richest people in the North East.
The Indian-born Reuben brothers, David and Simon, made their millions in metals trading and have increased their share in the Magpies' ownership from 10% to 14.3%. With a 2024 wealth of almost £25 billion, they are some way ahead of second-place Steve Gibson, the chairman and owner of Middlesbrough FC, and the owner of logistics company Bulkhaul.
The top five of the North East's richest people and families was rounded off by Dame Margaret and Helen Barbour, of the fashion brand Barbour; Mark Fenwick and family, of the department store Fenwick, and the Duke of Northumberland and family. The Barbours also made it onto the Times' Giving List, donating £8.5m to good causes in 2023.
Read more: Emails between NUFC and council reveal Saudi investment push as human rights groups issue warning
Robert Watts, compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, claimed that thousands of British livelihoods rely on the super-rich, to some extent, but that Britain's "billionaire boom" had to come to an end. He said: "Many of our home-grown entrepreneurs have seen their fortunes fall and some of the global super rich who came here are moving away.
"We’ll have to wait and see whether we have now reached peak billionaire, and what that means for our economy. These may be harder times to create wealth, but The Sunday Times Rich List continues to unearth entrepreneurs building fortunes in diverse and often surprising ways.
"This year’s new entries include people who have made money from artificial intelligence and virtual worlds as well as plumbing supplies and teaching aides."
The richest people in the North East, according to the Sunday Times Rich List
David and Simon Reuben and family, property and internet, £24.977 billion
Steve Gibson, Logistics, £640m
Dame Margaret and Helen Barbour, fashion, £537m
Mark Fenwick and family, department stores and property, £526m
The Duke of Northumberland and family, land and art, £509m
