Britain is the fourth-best in the world for billionaire residents
BRITAIN is home to 77 dollar billionaires, having gained 22 since last year, though the USA has strengthened its position in the upper ranks of the world’s wealthiest, a new rich list claims.
Ukrainian-born Leonard Blavatnik was named the richest UK resident by Chinese publisher Hurun, with an estimated worth of £18bn, up 16 per cent on a year ago.
He made much of his fortune selling a stake in Russian oil outfit TNK-BP to Rosneft last year, and is also known as the owner of the Warner Music Group.
He was followed on the list of British billionaires by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, manufacturing boss SP Hinduja and oil tycoon John Fredriksen.
The USA, with 72 new billionaires taking its total to 481, added to its lead on China, which has added 41 billionaires since last year to bring it to 358. The UK rose one place to fourth, with 77 dollar and around 55 sterling billionaires.
The Hurun list, now in its third year, has been published weeks before the Forbes list of billionaires is due out.