A MAN who built a vast manufacturing empire by clinching a deal for oil giant BP's chemicals operation has been named the UK's top entrepreneur.

Jim Ratcliffe outperformed the likes of Carphone Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone to claim the top spot after transforming Ineos Group through the BP deal.

The 53-year-old - whose personal wealth is estimated at £1bn - beat off competition from private equity firms to buy BP's Innovene chemicals business for £5bn in October last year.

His firm is now the UK's second largest chemicals company, employing 15,500 people in 14 countries and making profits of almost £1bn a year.

Mr Ratcliffe came in at number one ahead of businessman Patrick McKenna, the founder of entertainment consultancy Ingenious Media.

Mr McKenna's company has worked recently with a number of television companies on major deals.