The deal secures Von Essen as the headline sponsor across all online Rich List properties until 2011.
The online version of the Rich List launches today at 2pm, featuring Britain's 2,000 wealthiest people. There is an additional 1,000 entries to those found in the print edition and extra content on each entry.
Users can search for entries using a specially designed interactive table. They will also be able to sort the list by region, age, gender and source of wealth.
Dominic Carter, Times Media trading director, said: "The Rich List is one of the definitive landmarks within The Sunday Times. We wanted to enhance this further by offering readers an interactive experience and a reference point all year round.
"Our partnership with von Essen provides them with a fantastic opportunity to reach its target high-end audience in a unique and engaging way."
Von Essen, which owns hotels in the UK, Scotland, Wales and France, will be offering the chance to win two prizes in conjunction with the launch.
Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal remains Britain's richest man for the fourth consecutive year with an estimated fortune of £27.7bn, according to the 2008 Sunday Times Rich List. He is followed by Roman Abramovich, the expatriate Russian oil baron and owner of Chelsea football club with a wealth of £11.7bn, and the Duke of Westminster with £7billion.
Richard Desmond, owner of Express Newspapers, came in at 35th with £1.9bn. He was 25th on the list in 2007.
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