RESULTS FOR 2008
Ranking: 325=
Worth: £250m
Source of wealth: Finance and hotels

£250m Having bought the music group EMI for £2.4 billion, Guy Hands told its highly paid stars that they would have to work harder or risk being axed. The idea has not been a hit with some of the big names, with Sir Mick Jagger (qv) among those reported to be disgruntled. Hands, 48, is boss of the private equity group Terra Firma Capital Partners, which has grown rapidly since its launch in 2002. He takes hefty risks with his own money, putting more than £50m into Terra Firma’s new investment fund in 2006. Writing to prospective investors, he said: “My life’s work and virtually all of my personal economics are bound up in Terra Firma.” Hands was previously with the Japanese bank Nomura, where he earned about £300m in 12 years from a string of private equity deals. Terra Firma’s ventures in the past year include the £2.6 billion acquisition of an aircraft leasing business. Hands has not had it all his own way, losing up to £50m personally from a failed investment in Rockingham Motor Speedway. Some of his wealth has been invested in Hand Picked Hotels, a luxury chain run by his wife Julia, 48. It cost £100m to acquire and £25m to upgrade. In 2006 the business, which has its headquarters in Sevenoaks, had £3.5m profits on £41.6m sales. We value the chain on the money that Hands has sunk into it, until we see the profits coming through. Allowing for tax and losses, we reckon Hands and his family are worth £250m.

RESULTS FOR 2007
Ranking: 351=
Worth: £200m
Source of wealth: Finance and hotels