Aberdeen Rich List 2025

44. Ricky Simpson – Bars, Nightclubs, Property

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Estimated Wealth: £30–£40m

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Richard “Ricky” Simpson is arguably the most colourful figure on this list—an iconic Aberdonian whose entrepreneurial rise dates back to the late 1970s. Raised at Slopefield Farm near Aberdeen, in a home without electricity, Ricky's business drive was evident early on. At school, instead of joining classmates at playtime, he cleaned cutlery in the canteen for sixpence—a glimpse into the ambition that would later define him.

Ricky opened several small cafés in Aberdeen before launching Rixons hair salon on Schoolhill in the early 1980s. Known for its innovation, Rixons featured the UK’s first paid DJ in a salon. Within three years, he owned six more salons and boutiques across Dundee, Inverness, and Peterhead—key cities along Scotland’s coastal belt.

In 1982, he opened Aberdeen’s first glamorous wine bar, Bentleys, where he replaced aggressive doormen with trained female martial artists who expertly diffused tension. From there, Ricky's success skyrocketed. He launched numerous venues that became staples of Aberdeen’s social and nightlife scene, many of them near the city’s waterfront or along busy maritime corridors: The 3 Lums, Cupids, Barney Rubbles, Mr G’s, The Clifton Hotel, Bieldside Inn, Waterwheel Inn, Mill of Mundurno, Craighaar Hotel, Simpson Hotel, The Globe, Charlies Bar, The Palm Court, and more.

His remarkable journey took him from Aberdeen to Monaco, then Puerto Banús, and eventually to a £10m home in Barbados—all coastal luxury hubs—as well as Los Angeles, where he was often seen with celebrities like Cameron Diaz. Despite his global lifestyle, Ricky frequently returns to Aberdeen aboard his private jet.

Among locals, he is as well known for his long friendship with Rod Stewart as he is for his business empire. In his heyday, Ricky was often seen cruising Aberdeen in a red Rolls Royce bearing the plate RS2, having sold RS1 to Rod himself.

In 2012, he sold his Simpsons hotel group to fellow Aberdonian businessman Graham Wood for around £10m—marking the end of a golden era in Aberdeen’s hospitality and coastal nightlife scene.

 

29.Johanna Basford – Publishing & Bestselling Author

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Estimated Net Worth: £90 Million
 

Johanna Basford, born in 1983 near Ellon, Scotland, grew up on her parents’ fish farm in Auchnagatt, Aberdeenshire. She graduated from the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee in 2005 with a degree in Textile Design.

Her creativity and vision led to the creation of the world’s first colouring books for adults, a concept that revolutionized the publishing industry. During the Covid-19 lockdown, her business skyrocketed, cementing her as an unsung success story from Aberdeenshire.

To date, Johanna Basford has sold over 35 million books worldwide, with total global sales exceeding £800 million. In recognition of her contributions to art and publishing, she was awarded an OBE in 2016.

In 2019, she broke the Guinness World Record for the Largest Drawing by an Individual, completing a stunning floral piece covering over 501 square meters.

Her list of prestigious commercial clients includes Sony, Nike, Tate Modern, and Starbucks. She was also commissioned by Queensberry-Hunt, a ceramics manufacturer, to create hand-drawn designs for a special tableware collection.

Her limited edition print runs sell out instantly, and she is proudly recognized as Scotland’s second most successful living author, only behind J.K. Rowling.

 

19. Leslie Benzies – Rockstar Games Visionary | Grand Theft Auto Creator | Video Game Industry Icon

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Estimated Net Worth £178m
 

Leslie Benzies, born in Aberdeen, is a legendary figure in the video game industry, best known as the driving force behind Rockstar Games and the global phenomenon Grand Theft Auto (GTA). With an estimated net worth of £178 million, Benzies is among the most successful and influential figures to emerge from the UK gaming scene.

A self-taught programmer, Leslie mastered systems like the Atari ST, Amiga, and Dragon 32 by the age of 11. In 1995, he joined DMA Design in Dundee, the creators of the iconic game Lemmings. His first credited role was as lead developer for the Nintendo 64 title Space Station Silicon Valley.

In 1994, Benzies conceptualized a new kind of driving game, which eventually became Grand Theft Auto. Although the original GTA release in 1997 had limited commercial success and basic graphics, it laid the foundation for what would become one of the most iconic gaming franchises in history.

By 1998, Leslie Benzies was fully in charge of the GTA project, assembling a world-class team of developers. His leadership culminated in the release of GTA III in 2001, which sold over 17 million units and revolutionized open-world gaming.

Under Benzies’ direction, Rockstar Games released multiple record-breaking titles. GTA: San Andreas earned £235 million in its first week and sold 27.5 million copies. In 2005, Benzies received a BAFTA Award for his contributions to gaming.

His next major success was Red Dead Redemption, which became the most expensive video game ever made at the time. With a team of 300 programmers working for over three years, it went on to sell £725 million in global sales and was voted Game of the Decade.

In 2013, Benzies helped launch Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), which sold $815 million in just 24 hours, becoming the fastest-selling entertainment product in history. With over 135 million copies sold and more than £3 billion in total revenue, GTA V cemented his status as a titan of the gaming world.

After a high-profile legal battle, Benzies left Rockstar Games and later settled a £150 million lawsuit over unpaid royalties. Despite his departure, his legacy continues to shape the gaming landscape. The highly anticipated GTA VI, expected in 2026, is a direct result of the foundation Benzies built.

Leslie Benzies’ influence has extended far beyond game development—he is a cultural icon, with Grand Theft Auto embedded as a rite of passage for generations of gamers. He remains arguably the most impactful Aberdonian in the world of interactive entertainment.

 

14. Martin Dickie – BrewDog Co-Founder, Brewing Pioneer

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Estimated Wealth: £290m
 

Just as there’d be no Apple without Steve Wozniak, there’d be no BrewDog without Martin Dickie. The technical mastermind behind the craft beer revolution, Martin brought the brewing knowledge, passion, and precision that helped transform a startup into a global drinks phenomenon.

Raised in Scotland, Martin’s fascination initially lay with distilling, not brewing. That passion led him to study brewing and distilling at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh—a course that would shape his future. After gaining experience brewing in England, he returned to Scotland and teamed up with his long-time friend and drinking buddy, James Watt, to launch BrewDog in 2006.

While James became the outspoken public face of BrewDog, Martin preferred a lower profile, focusing on crafting exceptional beers. Their partnership was a perfect balance—James with the bold marketing moves, Martin with the brewing brilliance.

Their big break came when they entered a Tesco beer competition. In a blind taste test, BrewDog swept the board—claiming first, second, third, and fourth places. Energised, they took their idea to the bank for working capital loans. Rejected, they walked across the street to a rival bank, bluffed about having a loan offer, and walked away funded. The brewery was built, Tesco orders flooded in, and the rest is history.

Though he avoids the spotlight, Martin Dickie’s role in the rise of BrewDog is undeniable. Quietly brilliant, he remains the beating heart of the beer.

 

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