Wellington, May 1 NZPA - Former Lion Nathan boss Doug Myers is ranked as the 215th wealthiest person in Britain, according to the Sunday Times newspaper.

His fortune is put at Stg265 million ($NZ705 million), down Stg23m from last year although his ranking is up 73 places. He is just one place behind the Queen, whose fortune is put at Stg270m.

In 378th place is Alan Gibbs, up 137 places from 2008. His wealth is put at Stg148m, down Stg8m from a year earlier.

The Sunday Times describes Mr Gibbs as London-based, but he told the newspaper from his Gibbs Technologies headquarters in Michigan that he was planning amphibious vehicles in the United States.

Eric Watson, co-owner of embattled Hanover Finance, is ranked at 492, down 95 places and Stg90m from last year to Stg110m.

Mr Watson, who somewhat controversially celebrated his 50th birthday with a lavish party in Istanbul, shares the ranking with singers Barry and Robin Gibb.

Among 10 entries in 782nd place is car sales businessman Colin Giltrap, whose wealth is put at Stg72m, Stg30m down from last year when he was ranked two places higher.