The Coates family, the founders and largest shareholders of leading online betting operator bet365 have retained the title of highest-ranking digital enterprise owners in this year’s ‘The Sunday Times Rich List’.
With a combined estimated wealth of £5 billion, Denise (CEO), John (COO) and Peter (Chairman) Coates have ranked 22nd in this year’s Rich List. The Sunday Times details that the family’s wealth has grown circa £1 billion in the last 12 months as bet365 continues to expand its online betting business.
Denise Coates (CBE) who during the 2000’s transformed bet365 from a small ‘family owned’ independent bookmaker chain to a digital giant, has been ranked as the UK’s fifth richest woman.
Coates success has placed her as the highest earning female in the UK and has gained further accolades as one of the leading minds in digital enterprise operations earning an Honorary Doctor of Staffordshire University in 2012.
The Coates family owners of Stoke City Football Club, have retained a 93% share in ‘cash cow’ bet365. To date the family has refused all requests by banks and financiers to take the bookmaker into a public listing, stating that they are simply not interested in the IPO game.
The extremely private family are among the highest charitable donors in UK, donating to national charities, international projects founded by Oxfam, University programs, and developing art and cultural foundations.
Source: SBC News
