The billionaire family behind Glenfiddich and Drambuie has retained its crown as the richest in the Channel Islands… but who else makes the top 10 cut?
Glenn Gordon and family, the Jersey-based owners of whisky giant William Grant & Sons, remain top of the regional rankings in the 2026 edition of The Sunday Times Rich List, published today.
This was despite the family fortune taking a hefty hit in what compilers say has been a “subdued year” for Britain’s wealthiest.
The whisky dynasty’s fortune is estimated to have shrunk by more than £1.6bn in a year – from £6.398bn to £4.745bn – while the group’s profits are reported to be down 30%.
Retail giants and tech entrepreneurs climb the ranks
Jersey retail entrepreneurs Chris and Sarah Dawson take second place with an estimated £2.65bn fortune, followed by Jersey tech entrepreneur Simon Nixon on £2.05bn.
Guernsey’s highest-ranked entrants are Douglas and Dame Mary Perkins and family, founders of Specsavers, who sit fourth overall with an estimated wealth of £1.409bn and fund manager Steve Lansdown, worth an estimated £1.25bn, in fifth place.
Other Channel Islands names on the list (which you can see in full below) include Jersey based housebuilder Steve Morgan, hedge fund manager Edoardo Mercadante and entrepreneur Paul Sykes follow.
Donald Mackenzie, the private equity tycoon and co-founder of CVC Capital Partners, makes a re-entry into the regional top 10 with an estimated £750m fortune.
Together, the Channel Islands top 10 are worth an estimated £15.92bn.
“A tale of two exoduses”
Across the UK as a whole, this year’s Rich List values the combined wealth of the 350 richest individuals and families at £783.5bn – a figure larger than the annual GDP of countries including Belgium and Sweden.
The annual survey also features a host of celebrity names including Elton John, Mick Jagger, J. K. Rowling and Lewis Hamilton.
This year’s minimum entry point fell to £340m, which Rich List compiler Robert Watts said reflected tougher conditions for the ultra-wealthy.
“This year’s Rich List is a tale of two exoduses,” he said.
“One in six of the individuals and families who appeared on the list two years ago don’t feature this time.
“Many foreign billionaires who have been living in the UK have also dropped out because they have moved away. We have also seen a sharp rise in the number of British nationals now resident in Dubai, Switzerland and Monaco.”
Fortunes built on AI, crypto and everyday products
Mr Watts added that this year’s edition highlighted fortunes built through artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies and other fast-growing industries, alongside more traditional sectors.
“We believe understanding where wealth lies and where it is being accumulated is a vital part of a functioning democracy,” he said.
“This year’s edition shines a light on fortunes made from artificial intelligence, driverless cars and cryptocurrencies as well as baby milk, make-up, hoodies and other everyday items.”
