The Alchemists

One of the world's top 40 manufacturing companies, one of the largest global petrochemicals producers and the biggest private company in the UK, INEOS has risen to prominence over the past twenty years led by three unassuming northern grammar school boys: majority owner Jim Ratcliffe and his business partners Andy Currie and John Reece. The company's prolific growth and unlikely success have reshaped the industry, though its first two decades have been punctuated by close calls and hard lessons, as well as unprecedented highs. As they celebrate the company's twentieth anniversary and continued evolution, Ratcliffe and his management team have opened up on the major junctions of the INEOS journey, and their insights into business and manufacturing today.

Jim Ratcliffe is a British chemical engineer turned financier and industrialist. He is the chairman and chief executive officer of the INEOS chemicals group, which he founded in 1998.INEOS one of the world's largest manufacturers of chemicals and oil products, with sales of $54 billion, employing 15,000 people. He is currently developing a chain of international hotels. Outside of his business interests Ratcliffe competes in marathons and has walked to both the North and South Poles.