Isle of Man based billionaire John Whittaker has maintained his position at the top of the Island’s rich list.

Compiled by the Sunday Times as part of the guide to the 1,000 richest people in Britain and Ireland, Whittaker (pictured) leads the way with one billion five hundred million pounds – an increase of ?200m compared to his fortune a year ago.

He lives at Billown outside Ballasalla, and the rise in his wealth is largely credited to the sale of 49 per cent of his stake in Mersey Docks for more than ?750m.

James Davis reports (audio file attached):

Whittaker is equal 36th overall in the list.

Behind him is 50 year-old Jim Mellon, with an estimated wealth of ?620m, who made his money from buying apartment blocks in Germany.

The highest new entry on the Island list is 80 year-old Dr Leonard Polonsky who made ?103m with the flotation of wealth management firm Hansard Global last year.

In fourth, Trevor Baines is now listed at ?162 million after a ?17 million pounds increase in his investments.

George Moore lies in fifth place with Eddie Davies and John Taylor who took over Strix credited with ?100 and ?99 million pounds respectively.

Eddie Davies is given much of the credit for the success of Bolton Wanderers since he took them over in 2000.

Trevor Hemmings and Albert Gubay are both surprisingly not included in the Isle of Man list because their main homes are considered off-Island.

Hemmings, who was second in last year’s Island list, was 58th overall last year and is rumoured to be looking at development in Ramsey.

The 19th annual Sunday Times Rich List is published in a special 104-page supplement.