Founders of Warren James, Coach House and Lancet Homes among 10 richest businesswomen in the North West

By Sean Gleaves

Digital Reporter

Published 23rd Aug 2024, 18:43 BST

Find out who’s leading the region’s economic success and how they built their fortunes.

North West Business Insider has just revealed the ten women who rank the highest in the list of the working wealthy:

*The Top 50 Rich List for the region can be found in the September issue of Insider, which is out now. Order your copy here.

An accomplished horsewoman who competed for Great Britain at the Olympics in Athens and Beijing, Hindle has since set up two construction companies. Lancet Homes build family homes across the North West. The separate Woodhouse Bespoke builds higher end properties in the Cumbrian and Lancashire countryside. However, the bulk of Hindle’s wealth comes from Brookhouse, the commercial property empire she inherited from her late father.

1. Emma Hindle, 49 - 2024: £360m

An accomplished horsewoman who competed for Great Britain at the Olympics in Athens and Beijing, Hindle has since set up two construction companies. Lancet Homes build family homes across the North West. The separate Woodhouse Bespoke builds higher end properties in the Cumbrian and Lancashire countryside. However, the bulk of Hindle’s wealth comes from Brookhouse, the commercial property empire she inherited from her late father. | John Gichigi/Getty Images

Jones co-founded Warren James with her brother John Coulter in 1979. She owns 50% of the Stockport-based jewellery retailer. She also did well from investing in Pinewood Film Studios and was part of group of investors who bought the UK arm of Bank of Cyprus. She owns 20% of the Mayfair-based business.

2. Ann Jones, 70 - 2024: £273m

Jones co-founded Warren James with her brother John Coulter in 1979. She owns 50% of the Stockport-based jewellery retailer. She also did well from investing in Pinewood Film Studios and was part of group of investors who bought the UK arm of Bank of Cyprus. She owns 20% of the Mayfair-based business. | Warren James

An economist and investment analyst who once held senior roles at several global accountancy firms, Dwan is a director of Equity Solutions. She co-founded the finance specialist with her husband Michael in 2002 and still serves as a director. The £400m Stockport-based operation designs, builds, finances and operates schools and other public sector buildings.

3. Amanda Dwan, 55 - 2024: £200m

An economist and investment analyst who once held senior roles at several global accountancy firms, Dwan is a director of Equity Solutions. She co-founded the finance specialist with her husband Michael in 2002 and still serves as a director. The £400m Stockport-based operation designs, builds, finances and operates schools and other public sector buildings. | Google Maps

Cormack and her family own all of Bury-based Cormar Carpets. Her late husband Neville steered the company away from footwear into flooring products. More than 3,000 retailers across the UK and Ireland now sell their carpets. There were profits of nearly £6m on sales of £147.7m in 2023. After a couple of leaner years, Cormar Carpets should now be worth £80m. Dividends and other family wealthy add £24m.

4. Betty Cormack, 93 - 2024: £104m

Cormack and her family own all of Bury-based Cormar Carpets. Her late husband Neville steered the company away from footwear into flooring products. More than 3,000 retailers across the UK and Ireland now sell their carpets. There were profits of nearly £6m on sales of £147.7m in 2023. After a couple of leaner years, Cormar Carpets should now be worth £80m. Dividends and other family wealthy add £24m. | Google