The Soosaipillais started out in a Surrey flat, but hit the big time when they bought a refinery. Now questions swirl over who should own such critical infrastructure
The luxury Surrey estate of St George’s Hill is the perfect hideout for reclusive billionaires. Until recently, it was home to 100 Russian oligarchs including sanctioned billionaire Oleg Deripaska.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, locals from Weybridge protested outside, but were unable to get close because of the gates and tight security blocking the entrance to the exclusive development.
Among the residents is one of the wealthiest couples in the UK, who have gone to great lengths to stay out of the public eye.
Winston and Arani Soosaipillai have quietly built up an oil empire that now owns one of Britain’s key refineries, employs nearly 1,300 staff and turns over $10 billion (£8.6 billion) a year — the same as FTSE 100 fashion giant JD Sports.
