Who are Freddie Linnett and the Murphy family? The Co Armagh roots behind one of Britain’s wealthiest property groups on the 2026 rich list
Freddie Linnett and the Murphy family have been named on this year’s edition of the Sunday Times Rich List. While their wealth comes from a Leicester-based property group, the family’s roots are traced back to Co Armagh. The Charles Street Buildings Group, which was initially established by two south Armagh brothers in the 1940s, has grown to become one of Britain’s largest property companies.Read more: Who is Lady Ballyedmond? Former solicitor named Northern Ireland’s richest person in 2026Read more: Belfast-founder of major UK energy group dropped from Sunday Times Rich ListWho is Freddie Linnett? Armagh woman Freddie Linnett (76) inherited a stake in Charles Street Buildings in the 1990s when her two uncles, Hughie and Paddy, passed away.The Murphy family moved from south Armagh to Leicester in the 1930s PICTURE: CHARLES STREET BUILDINGS At the time, it was reported that she became the second richest woman in the UK after the Queen.How much are Freddie Linnett and the Murphy family worth? According to the Sunday Times Rich List, Freddie Linnett and the Murphy family are worth an estimated £720m in 2026. What are the Co Armagh roots to their wealth?During the 1930s, six Murphy brothers left south Armagh and moved to Leicester. Brothers Hughie and Paddy started a scrap metal business, before branching out into buying and selling cars, and eventually moving into civil engineering under Murphy Bros Ltd. Read more: Rory McIlroy’s net worth revealed after being named Northern Ireland’s richest person under 40Charles Street Buildings was incorporated in 1961 and from 1968, became the Murphy family’s sole focus. The company roots link back to Co Armagh PICTURE: CHARLES STREET BUILDINGS The company grew from the 1970s onwards through designing and building industrial and retail developments, the majority of which were located on industrial estates in Leicestershire.Hughie Murphy passed away in 1991, aged 82, and Paddy died five years later at the age of 84. Freddie Linnett started off working as a secretary and a tea girl in Charles Street Buildings before later becoming a director and inheriting her stake in the company upon the death of her uncles. The the day-to-day running of the company was taken over by her cousin Hugo Murphy.View the full Sunday Times Rich List.
