Brakes rake in more than top pop stars

The Brake brothers, who sold their catering supplier business in the summer, earned more than Sir Paul McCartney or Madonna this year.

Ranking among Britain's richest people, brothers Frank and William Brake pocketed £63.63m and £59.69m respectively this year, while Wanda Brake, widow of the third brother, Peter, earned £63.70m, according the Sunday Times list of top earners.

The brothers sold the business to US-based private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice for £434m in July.

Ken Manley, who was a non-executive director of the company, also made a tidy packet out of the deal, earning himself £5m this year, which included a salary from south London food trader Global Group, of which he is chairman.

Further down the list was Tony Lowrie, a non-executive director of pub group JD Wetherspoon, who had a £3.4m pay packet. Chairman and founder Tim Martin earned a salary of £2.3m.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who has a new Sainsbury's deal worth £500,000 a year for the next four years, earned £2.5m this year.