Sir Jim Ratcliffe awarded Oxford University medal

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, businessman and co-owner of Manchester United, has been recognised by the University of Oxford for the support his company Ineos has provided to scientific research.

He received the Sheldon Medal following the company's £100m donation to the university's research into antimicrobial resistance.

The 2021 donation enabled the institution to establish the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research (IOI).

Sir Jim said he was "truly honoured" to receive the university's highest distinction.

"It is a privilege to partner with such a world-class university, whose history is entwined with that of antibiotics, to tackle such a key global challenge," he said.

"I am encouraged to see Oxford's remarkable ethos and academic rigour already making promising progress in the field."

Antimicrobial resistance is predicted to cause more than 10 million deaths a year and cumulatively cost the world economy upwards of £81 trillion ($100tn) by 2050, the university said.

The IOI is developing new drugs and training the next generation of researchers to advance the science.

William Hague, chancellor-elect of the university, said he was "most grateful" to Sir Jim for his "remarkable generosity" and "unwavering belief in all that Oxford can do".

"I look forward to seeing what the Ineos Oxford Institute achieves in the coming years, and to getting to know Sir Jim as I take up my role," said Lord Hague.

Sir Jim received the medal during a special event at the Sheldonian Theatre on Wednesday.

He founded Ineos in 1998 and is the eleventh recipient of the Sheldon Medal, which was first awarded in 2002.

His Ineos co-owners John Reece and Andy Currie were also honoured at the ceremony.

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