Derbyshire's wealthiest people revealed in Sunday Times Rich List 2021

This year’s Rich List identifies a record 171 UK billionaires — 24 more than in 2020 – despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

That is the biggest jump in the 33 years The Sunday Times has been tracking the fortunes of the UK’s most affluent people.

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The combined fortunes of the billionaires in the Rich List grew by nearly 22 per cent to £597.269 billion.

Topping the list once again for people associated with Derbyshire is Mike Ashley founder of Shirebrook-based Sports Direct, with a current worth of £2.718bn – up by £769m and placing him 61st on the list.

The Sunday Times said Mr Ashley, 57, had ‘made his fortune from pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap sportswear but now sees a future where the labels read Gucci and Balenciaga rather than Slazenger and Lillywhites’.

The newspaper said: "As one of the few high-street goliaths whose empire has not fallen apart at the seams, Ashley announced the opening last year of three giant stores – in Sheffield, Leicester and Liverpool – under the Flannels name where he sells designer brands.”

Also featuring is the Duke of Devonshire, whose ancestral home is Chatsworth, and whose wealth is unchanged on £895m.

John Kirkland and family, whose Bowmer and Kirkland construction business is based in Heage, has seen his wealth increase by £179m to £774m and places him joint 212th on the list.

Investment, music and media mogul Sir Leonard Blavatnik tops the list nationally, with a £23bn fortune having rise by more than £7bn in the last year.