Sir Douglas 'richer than the Queen'

Sir Douglas Myers

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Sir Douglas Myers may have cashed up from brewing years ago, but the wealthiest Britain-based Kiwi is now even richer than the Queen of England.

Sir Douglas, who now spends much of his time in London, had his fortune valued at £332 million ($713m) in the latest Sunday Times Rich List, making him the 203rd richest person in Britain, a rise of 12 places over 2009.

Part of a brewing dynasty, Sir Douglas sold his stake in Lion Nathan to Japan's Kirin Breweries in 1998 and is now semi-retired.

He was knighted in the latest New Year Honours.

While the influential list ascribed its valuation of his fortune simply to the National Business Review's 2009 Rich List, it reported that his wealth had increased by £67m ($143.9m) since last year.

The global financial crisis was less kind to Britain's head of state, with the Queen falling 31 places to 247th. Her fortune was valued at £290m, up just 20m ($43m) over the last year.

The estimate of the Queen's fortune excluded the Crown Estate, Britain's largest landowner, which she still technically owns.

Financier David Richwhite was the second-highest-ranked Kiwi, one place behind Sir Douglas, and also ahead of the Queen, with a fortune estimated at £330m ($708.9m).

Other Kiwis on the list include super car developer Alan Gibbs (369th), car dealer Colin Giltrap (498th) and Hanover Finance co-owner Eric Watson (596th equal).

South Island property and agricultural entrepreneur Eamon Cleary was ranked the 25th richest Irishman, with an estimated fortune of €299m ($555.8m).

- © Fairfax NZ News