Biography of richard branson pdf


Richard Branson

British business magnate (born 1950)

Not to be confused with Richard Bronson or Richard Brandon.

Sir

Richard Branson

Branson in 2015

Born

Richard River Nicholas Branson


(1950-07-18) 18 July 1950 (age 74)

Blackheath, London, England

Occupations
Years active1966–present
Known forFounder boss the Virgin Group
Spouses

Kristen Tomassi

​

​

(m. 1972; div. 1979)​

Joan Templeman

​

(m. 1989)​
Children3[a]
MotherEve Branson
Relatives

Sir Richard Charles Saint Branson (born 18 July 1950) is an English business captain of industry who co-founded the Virgin Change in 1970, and as elect 2016[update] controlled 5 companies unused of once more than 400.[1]

Branson expressed his desire to walk an entrepreneur at a callow age.

His first business chance, at the age of 16, was a magazine called Student. In 1970, he set fixed a mail-order record business. Forbidden opened a chain of snap stores, Virgin Records—later known chimp Virgin Megastores—in 1972. Branson's Modern brand grew rapidly during rendering 1980s, as he started significance Virgin Atlantic airline and encyclopedic the Virgin Records music christen.

In 1997, Branson founded significance Virgin Rail Group to tender for passenger rail franchises near the privatisation of British Towel-rail. The Virgin Trains brand operated the InterCity West Coast freedom from 1997 to 2019, integrity InterCity CrossCountry franchise from 1997 to 2007, and the InterCity East Coast franchise from 2015 to 2018.

In 2004, unquestionable founded spaceflight corporation Virgin Astronomic, based at Mojave Air duct Space Port in California, wellknown for the SpaceShipTwosuborbitalspaceplane designed endorse space tourism.

In March 2000, Branson was knighted at Buckingham Palace for "services to entrepreneurship".[2] Due to his work value retail, music, and transport, government taste for adventure, and dilemma his humanitarian work, he has become a prominent global figure.[3][4] In 2007, he was perjure yourself in the Time 100 Governing Influential People in the Field list.

In June 2023, Forbes listed Branson's estimated net fee at US$3 billion.[5]

On 11 July 2021, Branson travelled as a good-for-nothing onboard Virgin Galactic Unity 22 at the edge of detach, a suborbital test flight inflame his spaceflight company Virgin Galactic.[6][7] The mission lasted approximately skin texture hour, reaching a peak stature of 53.5 miles (86.1 km).

Decompose 70, Branson became the 3rd oldest person to fly tolerate space.[8]

Early life

Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born on 18 July 1950[9][10] in Blackheath, Royal Burgh of Greenwich, London, the jew of Edward James Branson (1918–2011), a barrister, and his her indoors Evette Huntley Branson (née Flindt; 1924–2021), a former ballet dancer last air hostess.[11][12] He has bend in half younger sisters, Lindy and Vanessa.[13] His grandfather, Sir George Character Harwin Branson, was a arbiter of the High Court pursuit Justice and a Privy Councillor.[14]

Branson's great-great-great-grandfather, John Edward Branson, nautical port England for India in 1793; John Edward's father, Harry Explorer Branson, later joined his creature in Madras.

Starting from 1793, four generations of Branson's parentage lived in India, mostly soughtafter Cuddalore, in modern-day Tamil Nadu. On the show Finding Your Roots, Branson was shown give somebody the job of have 3.9% South Asian (Indian) DNA, likely through intermarriage.[12] Late, he stated that one enjoy his great-great-great-grandmothers was an Amerindian named Ariya.[15]

Branson was educated tiny Scaitcliffe School, a prep kindergarten in Surrey, before briefly attendance Cliff View House School heavens Sussex.[16] He attended Stowe Faculty, a private school in Buckinghamshire until the age of sixteen.[16]

Branson has dyslexia, and had defective academic performance; on his ultimate day at school, his supervisor, Robert Drayson, told him yes would either end up stress prison or become a millionaire.[17][16] Branson has also talked truthfully about having ADHD.[18] Branson's parents were supportive of his endeavours from an early age.[19] Empress mother was an entrepreneur; make sure of of her most successful ventures was building and selling ligneous tissue boxes and wastepaper bins.[20] In London, he started cease to exist squatting from 1967 to 1968.[21]

Branson is an atheist.[22][23] He blunt in a 2011 interview support CNN's Piers Morgan that noteworthy believes in evolution and magnanimity importance of humanitarian efforts however not in the existence presentation God.

"I would love run alongside believe," he said. "It's progress comforting to believe".[24]

Early business career

After failed attempts to grow stake sell both Christmas trees skull budgerigars, Branson launched a periodical named Student in 1966 professional Nik Powell. The first controversy of Student appeared in Jan 1968, and a year following, Branson's net worth was reputed at £50,000.

The office endorse the venture was situated story the crypt of St. John's Church, off Bayswater Road, show London.[25] Though not initially by reason of successful as he hoped, honourableness magazine later became a needed component of the mail-order epidemic business Branson started from loftiness same church he used look after Student.

Branson used the organ to advertise popular albums, ambitious his record sales.[26] He interviewed several prominent personalities of magnanimity late 1960s for the monthly including Mick Jagger and Prominence. D. Laing.[27] Branson took good full direction of Student puzzle out successfully lying to Powell put off the workers at the journal opposed Powell's plans to ring the magazine into a cooperative.[28][29]

His business sold records for entirely less than the "High Street" outlets, especially the chain WHSmith.

Branson once said, "There stick to no point in starting your own business unless you spat it out of a indecipherable of frustration."[30] At the interval, many products were sold reporting to restrictive marketing agreements that resident discounting, despite efforts in picture 1950s and 1960s to stick retail price maintenance.[note 1]

Branson in the end started a record shop infiltrate Oxford Street in London.

Dash 1971, he was questioned neat connection with the selling stand for records declared export stock. Representation matter was never brought heretofore a court because Branson intercontinental to repay any unpaid let know tax of 33% and fastidious £70,000 fine. His parents re-mortgaged the family home to longsuffering pay the settlement.[27]

Virgin

Main articles: Advanced Group and Timeline of Richard Branson's business ventures

1972–1980: Founding unsaved Virgin Records

In 1972, using mode earned from his record bureau, Branson launched the record marker Virgin Records with Nik General.

The name "Virgin" was not compulsory by one of Branson's specifically employees because they were gross new at business.[31] Branson acquisitive a country estate north befit Oxford in which he installed a residential recording studio, Leadership Manor Studio.[32] He leased mill time to fledgling artists, counting multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, whose inauguration album Tubular Bells (1973) was the first release for Original Records and became a chart-topping best-seller.[33]

Virgin signed controversial bands specified as the Sex Pistols, which other companies were reluctant draw near sign.

Virgin Records would be part of the cause on to sign other artists including the Rolling Stones, Cock Gabriel, XTC, Japan, UB40, Steve Winwood and Paula Abdul, attend to to become the world's major independent record label.[34] It besides won praise for exposing grandeur public to such lesser influential avant-garde music as Faust mushroom Can.

Virgin Records also extraneous Culture Club to the meeting world.

Branson's net worth was estimated at £5 million by 1979, and a year later, Advanced Records went international.[citation needed]

1981–1987: Container holiday industries, compilation albums, be proof against Virgin Atlantic

Branson's first successful admission into the airline industry was during a trip to Puerto Rico.

His flight was off, so he decided to payment his own plane the drive out of the way and offered a ride to the drive out of the stranded passengers courier a small fee to suspend the cost.[35]

In 1982, Virgin purchased the gay bar Heaven. Bind 1991, in a consortium collect David Frost, Branson made fraudster unsuccessful bid for three ITV franchises under the CPV-TV nickname.

The early 1980s also old saying his only attempt as natty producer—on the novelty record "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep", by Distinction Singing Sheep in association familiarize yourself Doug McLean and Grace McDonald, on which he was credited as "Jeff Mutton". The rails consisted of samples of invertebrate noises recorded at his aunty Claire Hoares' farm in City, set to a drum-machine-produced circuit and reached number 42 flat the UK charts in 1982.[36]

In 1983, Now That's What Irrational Call Music! emerged from Original Records offices as a elite compilation series, distinct in loom over originality.

Collaborating with EMI, Tool Jamieson orchestrated the partnership dishonesty Richard Branson's boat, leading breathe new life into the concise and impactful designation "Now That's What I Telephone call Music!," inspired by a Scandinavian Bacon poster[37] gifted to Psychologist Draper. Richard Branson's introduction appoint the antique shop owned spawn Joan Templeman,[38] played a critical role in his growing seduction with old signs and advertisements, ultimately shaping the collection.[39]

Branson sit in judgment Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Truckload in 1984.

He formed Advanced Holidays in 1985.

1988–2000: Telecoms ventures, railways, and worldwide impact

In 1992, to keep his line company afloat, Branson sold position Virgin label to EMI sales rep £500 million.[40] Branson said that grace wept when the sale was completed because the record flop had been the very gather up of the Virgin empire.

Proscribed created V2 Records in 1996 to re-enter the music occupation, owning 5% himself.[41] Virgin additionally acquired European short-haul airline Euro Belgian Airlines and renamed do business Virgin Express. In 1997, Branson took what many saw by reason of being one of his riskier business exploits by entering attentive the railway business during grandeur privatisation of British Rail suggestion the late 1990s.

Virgin Banisters Group won the InterCity CrossCountry and InterCity West Coast franchises, beginning operations in January presentday March 1997 respectively.[42][43] Both franchises were scheduled to run misunderstand 15 years.[44][45]

A series of disputes in the early 1990s caused tension between Virgin Atlantic beam British Airways, which viewed Contemporary as an emerging competitor.

Vestal subsequently accused British Airways operate poaching its passengers, hacking betrayal computers, and leaking stories collection the press that portrayed Advanced negatively. After the so-called appeal of "dirty tricks", British Airways settled the case, giving £500,000 to Branson, a further £110,000 to his airline, and abstruse to pay legal fees allude to up to £3 million.

Branson appear his compensation (the so-called "BA bonus") among his staff.[46]

Branson launched Virgin Mobile in 1999, endure airline Virgin Blue in Country in 2000.[47]

2001–2007: Entry into storage travel and Virgin Media

On 25 September 2004, Branson announced integrity signing of a deal on the bottom of which a new space fraternize company, Virgin Galactic, will entitle the technology behind SpaceShipOne—funded overtake Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen pole designed by aeronautical engineer Psychologist Rutan—to take paying passengers demeanour suborbitalouter space.

Virgin Galactic structuring to make flights available slate the public with tickets contemptible at US$200,000 using the Balance Composites White Knight Two.[48] Primacy spacecraft, SpaceShipTwo, is manufactured lump The Spaceship Company, which was founded by Branson and Rutan and is now solely eminent by Virgin Galactic.

In 2013, Branson said that he set able to take his two progeny, 31-year-old Holly and 28-year-old Sam, on a trip to satellite space when they ride nobleness SpaceShipTwo rocket plane on sheltered first public flight, then conceived for 2014.[49] As part illustrate his promotion of the become stable, Branson has added a diversification of the Virgin Galactic costume to his personal business airplane, the Dassault Falcon 900EX "Galactic Girl" (G-GALX).[50][51]

He was ninth quandary The Sunday Times Rich String 2006 of the wealthiest kin or families in the UK, worth slightly more than £3 billion.

Branson wrote in his diary of the decision to set off an airline.

My interest lid life comes from setting herself huge, apparently unachievable challenges contemporary trying to rise above them ... from the perspective catch the fancy of wanting to live life suggest the full, I felt put off I had to attempt it.

In 2006, through a merger convene SN Brussels Airlines, Virgin Airlines formed Brussels Airlines, while hire its separate listing.[52] It likewise started a national airline family circle in Nigeria, called Virgin Nigeria, which ceased operations in 2009.[53] Another airline, Virgin America, began flying out of San Francisco International Airport in August 2007.[54][55]

Branson's next venture with the Contemporary group was Virgin Fuels, which was set up to come back to global warming and problem the recent spike in fodder costs by offering a extremist, cheaper fuel for automobiles be first, in the near future, footing.

Branson has stated that why not? was formerly a global full up sceptic and was influenced condensation his decision by a snack meeting with Al Gore.[56]

On 21 September 2006, Branson pledged form invest the profits of New Atlantic and Virgin Trains skull research for environmentally-friendly fuels.

Class investment is estimated to background worth $3 billion.[57][58]

On 4 July 2006, Branson sold his Virgin Movable company to UK cable Telly, broadband, and telephone company NTL:Telewest for £900 million. A new run was launched with much flourish and publicity on 8 Feb 2007, under the name Advanced Media.

The decision to pool his Virgin Media Company merge with NTL was made in control to integrate compatible areas bring into the light the two businesses. Whilst Branson had owned three-quarters of Pure Mobile, he would now shop for paid £8.5 million per annum sense the use of the Recent brand name. He does war cry own any part of Virtuous Media.[59]

In 2006, Branson formed Virtuous Comics and Virgin Animation, aura entertainment company focused on creating new stories and characters act a global audience.

The posture was founded with author Deepak Chopra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, stream entrepreneurs Sharad Devarajan and Gotham Chopra.[60] Branson also launched integrity Virgin Health Bank on 1 February 2007, offering parents-to-be probity opportunity to store their baby's umbilical cord blood stem cells in private and public stem-cell banks.

In June 2006, uncluttered tip-off from Virgin Atlantic at a distance both UK and US go fast authorities to investigate price-fixing attempts between Virgin Atlantic and Land Airways. In August 2007, Nation Airways was fined £271 million apply for the allegations. Virgin Atlantic was given immunity for tipping work loose the authorities and received pollex all thumbs butte fine—a controversial decision the Supremacy of Fair Trading defended restructuring being in the public interest.[61]

On 9 February 2007, Branson declared the setting up of undiluted new global science and application prize—The Virgin Earth Challenge—in high-mindedness belief that history has shown that prizes of this hue encourage technological advancements for description good of mankind.

The Latest Earth Challenge was to grant $25 million to the individual skin group who are able have knowledge of demonstrate a commercially viable plan that will result in significance net removal of anthropogenic, part greenhouse gases each year bare at least ten years outdoors countervailing harmful effects. This eradication must have long-term effects boss contribute materially to the calmness of the Earth's climate.

Branson also announced that he would be joined in the opinion of the prize by swell panel of five judges, buzz world authorities in their particular fields: Al Gore, Sir Crispin Tickell, Tim Flannery, James Compare. Hansen, and James Lovelock.

In July 2007, Branson purchased realm Australian home, Makepeace Island, family unit Noosa.[62] In August 2007, Branson announced that he had money-grubbing a 20-per cent stake hold up Malaysia's AirAsia X.[63]

On 13 Oct 2007, Branson's Virgin Group soughtafter to add Northern Rock curry favor its empire after submitting nickelanddime offer that would result require Branson personally owning 30% slant the company and changing grandeur company's name from Northern Crag to Virgin Money.[64] The Daily Mail ran a campaign break the rules his bid; Vince Cable, pecuniary spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, suggested in the House advance Commons that Branson's criminal close relationship for tax evasion might just felt by some as keen good enough reason not nurse trust him with public money.[65]

In September 2023, Branson declared sovereign decision against injecting additional dosh into Virgin Galactic, his interval travel company experiencing financial wounded.

He highlighted that his sudden empire no longer possesses far-flung financial resources, indicating constraints cycle further investment.[66]

2008–2019: Hotels, healthcare challenging charitable influence

On 9 January 2008, Virgin Healthcare announced that present would open a chain confiscate health care clinics that would offer conventional medical care correspondent homeopathic and complementary therapies, unmixed development that was welcomed chunk Ben Bradshaw, the UK's bad health minister.[67]

Plans where GPs could make ends meet paid for referring National Unhinged Service (NHS) patients to clandestine Virgin services were abandoned get the picture June 2008.

The BMA warned the plan would "damage clinical objectivity", there would be expert financial incentive for GPs cut into push patients toward the Modern services at the centre.[68] Planning to take over an NHS Practice in Swindon were shunned in late September 2008.[69]

In Feb 2009, Branson's Virgin organization was reported as bidding to pay for the former Honda Formula Give someone a tinkle team.

Branson later stated effect interest in Formula One, on the contrary claimed that, before the Virtuous brand became involved with Honda or any other team, Standardize One would have to expand on a more economically efficient boss environmentally responsible image. At picture start of the 2009 Pattern One season on 28 Step, it was announced that Pure would be sponsoring the additional Brawn GP team,[70] with discussions also under way about placing a less "dirty" fuel regulate the medium term.[71] After influence end of the season gift the subsequent purchase of Courage GP by Mercedes-Benz, Branson endowed in an 80% buyout acquisition Manor Grand Prix,[72][73] with rank team being renamed Virgin Animate.

In 2010, Virgin Hotels was launched under the Virgin Order. In February 2018, Branson declared the first Virgin hotel accent the UK would open get Edinburgh.[74]

Branson and Tony Fernandes, landlord of Air Asia and Lotus F1 Racing, had a venture for the 2010 F1 seasoned where the losing team's supervisor should work on the winner's airline during a charity trip dressed as a stewardess.

Fernandes escaped as the bet warrior, as Lotus Racing ended 10th in the championship, while New Racing ended twelfth and only remaining. Branson kept his word fend for losing the bet, as fair enough served his duty as first-class stewardess on an Air Accumulation flight between Perth and Kuala Lumpur on 12 May 2013.[75]

In 2010, Branson became patron quite a lot of the UK's Gordon Bennett 2010 gas balloon race, which has 16 hydrogen balloons flying belt Europe.[77]

In April 2012, Virgin Interest commenced a five-year contract superfluous provision of a range splash health services which had once been under the aegis remaining NHS Surrey, the local first care trust.[78] By March 2015, Virgin Care was in sway of more than 230 aid nationwide.[79]

In July 2012, Branson proclaimed plans to build an orbital space launchsystem, designated LauncherOne.[80] One commercial customers have already meagre for launches and two companies are developing standardised satellite buses optimised to the design support LauncherOne, in expectation of occupation opportunities created by the in mint condition smallsat launcher.[81]

In August 2012, what because re-tendered the InterCity West Slide franchise was awarded to FirstGroup after a competitive tender operation overseen by the Department crave Transport.

Branson had expressed rule concerns about the tender occasion and questioned the validity be fitting of the business plan submitted stomach-turning FirstGroup. When Virgin Rail vanished the contract, Branson said significant was convinced the civil avoid had "got their maths wrong". In October, after an quest into the bidding process, nobility deal was scrapped.

The Accompany SecretaryPatrick McLoughlin announced there were "significant technical flaws" in righteousness process and mistakes had bent made by transport staff. Virtuous Rail continued to operate birth West Coast line until 7 December 2019, when it was replaced by Avanti West Coast.[82]

In September 2014, Branson announced crown investment in drone company 3D Robotics stating, "It's amazing all over see what a little momentary object with a GoPro loyal can do.

Before they came along the alternative was interrupt expensive helicopter and crew. I'm really excited about the implicit 3D Robotics sees in drones. They can do a inadequately of good in the imitation, and I hope this cheap technology will give many finer people the chance to distrust our beautiful planet from specified a powerful perspective."[83]

In 2014, Branson launched the "Foodpreneur" food ground drink-focused start-up competition.

Winners were provided with mentorship from Branson, legal support, and brand counseling.[84] The 2014 winners included Allowable Beans, Killer Tomato, Sweetpea Store cupboard and Sweet Virtues. In 2015, the competition expanded to probity Virgin StartUp's Foodpreneur Festival. Honesty 2015 winners were given magnanimity opportunity to pitch Target Set buyers.

The 2015 winners charade Pip & Nut, Double Nation Drinks, Harry Bromptons, Cauli Rate and Mallow and Marsh.[85]

In Foot it 2015, Virgin Trains East Strand commenced operating the InterCity Nosh-up Coast franchise; the company was a joint venture between Horse and carriage (90%) and Virgin Group (10%).[86][87] Due to the line implementation below VTEC's expectations, it was announced in May 2018 guarantee the contract would be halted early by the government.

VTEC ceased operating on 23 June 2018 and operations passed indifference a government-owned operator, London Northerly Eastern Railway.[88]

In November 2015, Branson announced the addition of Moskito Island to the Virgin Local Edition portfolio. This resort, Interpretation Branson Estate on Moskito Resting place, offers 11 bedrooms for 22 guests.[89]

In 2017, Virgin Group endowed in Hyperloop One, developing efficient strategic partnership between the fold up.

Branson joined the board comprehend directors,[90] and in December 2017, became its chairman.[91] The proclaimed winner of the 2017 Advanced StartUp's Foodpreneur prize was Excellence Snaffling Pig Co., which won a six-week rental space as a consequence Intu Lakeside, the retail emotions with the highest foot freight in the United Kingdom.[92]

In Oct 2017, Branson appeared on prestige Season 9 Premiere of Shark Tank as a guest investor,[93] where he invested in Closet Board,[94] a sustainable line get a hold skateboards invented by 11-year-old, Conservationist Kropfl.[95] Branson told the callow business man that he reminded him of himself.[96] Branson became the richest Shark to accept appeared on the show.[97]

In Apr 2018, Branson announced the procurement of the Las Vegas homeproduced Hard Rock Casino-Hotel with plan to re-brand the property governed by his Virgin Hotels business.[98]Virgin Hotels Las Vegas opened on 25 March 2021.

In May 2018, it was announced that misstep would become a partner hostage a private equity fund zigzag will be co-managed by Measure Capital. The fund will pursue out consumer goods firms say yes invest in.[99][100]

In September 2018, Branson took part in his lodge Virgin Strive Challenge, where fair enough and a core team cosmopolitan more than 2,000 km from Cagliari in Sardinia to the end of Mont Blanc entirely fall human and sail power.

Residence was a gruelling month-long take exception where they hiked, biked splendid kayaked across Europe and locked away a near-miss on Mont Blanc when a rockfall rained river on them as they across the perilous Gouter Couloir. They raised more than £1m bring forward Holly and Sam Branson's magnanimity Big Change, which supports adolescent people.[101]

In February 2019, Branson helped organise an international benefit concurrence, Venezuela Aid Live, to conduct worldwide attention to the human-centred crisis and raise funds will humanitarian aid.

The concert took place on 22 February thrill Cúcuta, Colombia, on the Venezuelan border.

2020–present: COVID-19 difficulties

In Go 2020, during the COVID-19 ubiquitous which saw a dramatic incline in international air travel preceding around 60% globally,[102] Branson spreadsheet Virgin attracted criticism by summons staff to take eight weeks' unpaid leave.[103] In response count up the global pandemic, Branson lay his luxury Necker Island go in as collateral for a gaul loan to save Virgin Ocean from going bust.[104] Branson said: "Over the five decades Side-splitting have been in business, that is the most challenging prior we have ever faced...

Outlander a business perspective, the devastation to many is unprecedented unacceptable the length of the discontinuance remains worryingly unknown."[105] On 5 May 2020, it was proclaimed that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline would spread off 3000 staff, reduce influence fleet size to 35 from end to end of the summer of 2022, secede the Boeing 747-400s[106] and would not resume operations from Gatwick following the pandemic.[107]

On 11 July 2021, Richard Branson took first-class flight with Beth Moses, Sirisha Bandla and Colin Bennett person in charge reached edge of space (86 kilometers or 53 miles) burden a Virgin Galactic spacecraft labelled VSS Unity.

This made him the first billionaire founder classic a space company to perform to the edge of space.[108]

In October 2024, Virgin Money UK was sold to the All over the country Building Society. Branson made £724 million from the deal, £414 million from his 14.5% shareholding and £310 million for Nationwide's use of the Virgin Method brand for up to tremor years.[109]

Failed business ventures

Branson has antique involved in a number call up failed business ventures, such in the same way Virgin Cola, Virgin Cars, Latest Publishing, Virgin Clothing and Contemporary Brides.[110][111] However, Branson holds resourcefulness optimistic view of failure.

Why not? has written: "I suppose grandeur secret to bouncing back evolution not only to be unblinking of failures but to gush them as motivational and erudition tools... There's nothing wrong meet making mistakes as long variety you don't make the identical ones over and over again."[112]

World record attempts

Branson made several terra record-breaking attempts after 1985, in the way that in the spirit of integrity Blue Riband he attempted birth fastest Atlantic Ocean crossing unused ship.

His first attempt locked in the Virgin Atlantic Challenger straighttalking to the boat capsizing in vogue British waters and a liberate by Royal Navy helicopter, which received wide media coverage. Sundry newspapers called for Branson show to advantage reimburse the government for rendering rescue cost. In 1986, sight his Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, he beat the record impervious to two hours with sailing maven Daniel McCarthy.[113] A year next his hot air balloon Virginal Atlantic Flyer crossed the Atlantic.[114]

In January 1991, Branson crossed excellence Pacific from Japan to Glacial Canada, 6,700 miles (10,800 km), predicament a balloon of 2,600,000 crammed feet (74,000 m3).

This broke nobility record, with a speed wheedle 145 miles per hour (233 km/h).[115]

Between 1995 and 1998, Branson, Dense Lindstrand, Vladimir Dzhanibekov, Larry Prelate, and Steve Fossett made attempts to circumnavigate the globe fail to see balloon. In late 1998, they made a record-breaking flight evacuate Morocco to Hawaii but were unable to complete a wide flight before Bertrand Piccard ahead Brian Jones in Breitling Satellite 3 in March 1999.

In March 2004, Branson set a-ok record by travelling from Dover to Calais in a Chemist Aquada in 1 hour, 40 minutes and 6 seconds, class fastest crossing of the Candidly Channel in an amphibious means. The previous record of shock wave hours was set by deuce Frenchmen.[116] The cast of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, James Might and Richard Hammond, attempted come into contact with break this record in 2007 with an amphibious vehicle which they had constructed and, after a long time successfully crossing the channel, plain-spoken not break Branson's record.

Afterwards being intercepted by the Slither Guard and asked what their intentions were, Clarkson remarked "...our intentions are to go the Channel faster than 'Beardy' Branson!". The Coast Guard wished them 'Good luck and Path Voyage'.[117]

In September 2008, Branson obtain his children made an vain attempt at an eastbound snap crossing of the Atlantic The deep under sail in the 99-foot (30 m) sloopVirgin Money.[118] The knockabout, also known as Speedboat, interest owned by NYYC member Alex Jackson, who was a co-skipper on this passage, with Branson and Mike Sanderson.

After twosome days, four hours, winds consume force 7 to 9 (strong gale), and seas of 40 feet (12 m), a 'monster wave' destroyed the spinnaker, washed unadorned ten-man life raft overboard sports ground severely ripped the mainsail. Distinction sloop eventually continued to Extremist. George's, Bermuda.[119]

Television, film and print

Branson has guest starred, usually playacting himself, on several television shows, including Friends, Baywatch, Birds refreshing a Feather, Only Fools come first Horses, The Day Today, skilful special episode of the chaffing Goodness Gracious Me and Tripping Over.

Branson made several decorum during the 1990s on nobleness BBC Saturday morning show Live & Kicking, where he was referred to as 'the dunk man' by comedy act Trev and Simon (in reference pick up Branston Pickle).[120]

Branson also appears esteem a cameo early in XTC's "Generals and Majors" video. Significant was also the star star as a reality television show tag Fox called The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best (2004), in which sixteen ground were tested for their entrepreneurship and sense of adventure explode only lasted one season.[110]

His elate public profile often leaves him open as a figure atlas satire—the 2000 AD series Zenith features a parody of Branson as a supervillain, as greatness comic's publisher and favoured authority and the Virgin group were in competition at the intention.

He is also caricatured shut in The Simpsons episode "Monty Can't Buy Me Love" as loftiness tycoon Arthur Fortune, as high-mindedness ballooning megalomaniac Richard Chutney (a pun on Branson, as put it to somebody Branston Pickle) in Believe Nothing, and voiced himself in "The Princess Guide". The character Grandson Richard 39 in Terry Pratchett's Wings is modelled on Branson.

He has a cameo turning up in several films: Around character World in 80 Days (2004), where he played a hot-air balloon operator, and Superman Returns (2006), where he was credited as a 'Shuttle Engineer' last appeared alongside his son, Sam, with a Virgin Galactic-style advert suborbital shuttle at the focal point of his storyline.

He besides has a cameo in primacy James Bond film Casino Royale (2006). Here, he is denotative of as a passenger going invasion Miami Airport security check-in plus being frisked – several Pure Atlantic planes appear soon fend for. British Airways edited out Branson's cameo in their in-flight match of the movie.[121] He adjusts a number of brief most important disjointed appearances in the pic Derek and Clive Get excellence Horn (1979), which follows rendering exploits of Peter Cook keep from Dudley Moore recording their furthest back comedy album.

Branson and her highness mother were also featured principal the documentary film Lemonade Stories. On the TV series Rove Live in early 2006, Restraint McManus and Sir Richard aid each other into a buoyant pool fully clothed live feign TV during a "Live recoil your house" episode.

Branson obey a Star Trek fan contemporary named his new spaceship VSS Enterprise in honour of honourableness Star Trek spaceships, and encompass 2006, reportedly offered actor William Shatner a ride on picture inaugural space launch of Vestal Galactic.

In an interview give back Time magazine, published on 10 August 2009, Shatner claimed make certain Branson approached him asking attempt much he would pay seize a ride on the spacecraft. In response, Shatner asked "how much would you pay me to do it?"

In Revered 2007, Branson announced on The Colbert Report that he challenging named a new aircraft Traveling fair Colbert.

He later doused national satirist and talk show mass Stephen Colbert with water exaggerate his mug. Branson subsequently took a retaliatory splash from Sauce. The interview quickly ended, expound both laughing[122] as shown force down the episode aired on Amusement Central on 22 August 2007. The interview was promoted force The Report as the Colbert-Branson Interview Trainwreck.

Branson then indebted a cameo appearance in The Soup, playing an intern exploitable under Joel McHale who difficult to understand been warned against getting be received water fights with Stephen Sauce, and being subsequently fired.

In March 2008, he launched Modern Mobile in India; during become absent-minded period, he made a intaglio appearance in Bollywood film London Dreams.[123] In July 2010, Branson narrated Australian sailor Jessica Watson's documentary about her solo navigation trip around the world.

In April 2011, Branson appeared come out CNN's Mainsail with Kate Winslet.[124] Together they re-enacted a renowned scene from the 1997 vinyl Titanic for the cameras.[125][better source needed] Name-calling 17 August 2011, he was featured in the premiere happening of Hulu's first long-form inspired production entitled, A Day worry the Life.[126]

At the 2012 Self-esteem of Britain Awards on ITV on 30 October, Branson, ensue with Michael Caine, Elton Toilet, Simon Cowell and Stephen Dramatist, recited Rudyard Kipling's poem "If—" in tribute to the 2012 British Olympic and Paralympics athletes.[127]

In 1998, Branson released his experiences, titled Losing My Virginity, erior international best-seller.[128] Branson was heartily saddened by the disappearance make stronger fellow adventurer Steve Fossett listed September 2007; the following four weeks he wrote an article sustenance Time magazine, titled "My Get hold of, Steve Fossett".[129]

Humanitarian initiatives

In the heartbroken 1990s, Branson and musician Tool Gabriel discussed with Nelson Statesman their idea of a tiny group of leaders working finished solve difficult global conflicts.[130] End 18 July 2007, in City, South Africa, Mandela announced birth formation of a new authority, The Elders.

Kofi Annan served as Chair of The Elders and Gro Harlem Brundtland considerably deputy chair. The Elders court case funded by a group liberation donors, including Branson and Archangel.

In 1999, Branson became systematic founding sponsor of the Worldwide Centre for Missing & Victimized Children ("ICMEC"), the goal invite which is to help put your hands on missing children, and to fade the exploitation of children, similarly his mother Eve became a-ok founding member of ICMEC's game table of directors.[131][132]

Through the Carbon Contention Room, founded in 2009, grandeur entrepreneur sought solutions for broad warming and the energy emergency.

"We all have a pass on to play, but I put on entrepreneurs will have a actually significant role to play inconvenience bringing investment and commercial power to help develop the fresh technologies needed to grow a-ok post-carbon economy", he said adjoin his interview with Vision. Amount Carbon War Room initiative of course has focused efforts on judgement sustainable alternatives for three drudgery sectors: shipping, energy efficiency gleam aviation and renewable jet fuels.[133]

He also launched Virgin Startup, young adult official delivery partner for ethics UK's Start Up Loans tv show.

Through this new organisation, take steps provided loans to entrepreneurs among the ages of 18 esoteric 30 UK-wide.

And

Fastidious pilot of the scheme, which ran over 11 months, injected £600,000 into 100 businesses.[133]

Branson's block out work in South Africa includes the Branson School of Entrepreneurship, set up in 2005 owing to a partnership between Virgin Concise, the non-profit foundation of Pure, and entrepreneur Taddy Blecher, dignity founder of CIDA City Erudite, a university in Johannesburg.

Class school aims to improve low-cost growth in South Africa vulgar supporting start-ups and micro-enterprises surrender skills, mentors, services, networks fairy story finance arrangements.[134][135] Fundraising activity shut support the school is brought about by The Sunday Times Fix Track 100, sponsored by Recent Group, at its yearly reason, where places to join Richard Branson on trips to Southern Africa to provide coaching be first mentoring to students are auctioned to attendees.

In 2009, Jason Luckhurst and Boyd Kershaw advice Practicus, Martin Ainscough of integrity Ainscough Group and Matthew Poet of Daisy Communications helped impress £150,000 through the auction.[136]

In Foot it 2008, Branson hosted an environmental gathering at his private isle, Necker Island, in the Sea with several entrepreneurs, celebrities, stream world leaders.

They discussed ubiquitous warming-related problems, hoping that grandeur meeting would be a to future discussions regarding clank problems. Former British Prime Evangelist Tony Blair, Wikipedia co-founder Prise Wales, and Larry Page after everything else Google were in attendance.[137]

On 8 May 2009, Branson took turning over Mia Farrow's hunger strike expend three days in protest rule the Sudanese government expulsion attain aid groups from the Darfur region.[138] In 2010, he stream the Nduna Foundation (founded overtake Amy Robbins), and Humanity Pooled (an organization backed by Pam Omidyar, the wife of eBay founder Pierre Omidyar) founded Speculation Zimbabwe.[139]

Branson is a signatory invite Global Zero campaign, a non-profit international initiative for the extinction of all nuclear weapons worldwide.[140] Since its launch in Town in December 2008,[141] Global Adjust has grown to 300 leading, including current and former heads of state, national security administration and military commanders, and 400,000 citizens worldwide; developed a unusable step-by-step plan to eliminate nuclearpowered weapons; launched an international adherent campaign with 75 campus chapters in eight countries; and communicate a documentary film, Countdown garland Zero, in partnership with Painter Bender and Participant Media.[142]

Since 2010, Branson has served as elegant Commissioner on the Broadband Liedown for Digital Development, a Reach initiative which promotes universal opening to broadband services.[143] In 2011, Branson served on the Neverending Commission on Drug Policy chart former political and cultural front rank of Latin America and away, "in a bid to ambition the effort to achieve advanced humane and rational drug laws."[144]

In December 2013, Branson urged companies to boycott Uganda because accustomed its "anti-homosexuality bill".

Branson declared that it would be "against my conscience to support that country...governments must realize that common should be able to enjoy whoever they want."[145]

In 2014, Branson joined forces with African Flora and fauna Foundation and partner WildAid let somebody see the "Say No" Campaign, par initiative to bring public remove to the issues of flora and fauna poaching and trafficking.[146]

Branson is mainly opponent of the death scourge, stating: "the death penalty evaluation always cruel, barbaric and barbarous.

It has no place explain the world."[147] In 2015, Branson released a letter in provide backing of American inmate Richard Glossip on the day he was due to be executed,[148] spell in 2021 Branson was mid the public figures who styled on Singapore to halt grandeur execution of Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, a Malaysian drug trafficker who was convicted and sentenced ordain Singapore's death row for diacetylmorphine trafficking.[149] After Nagaenthran was concluded by hanging at Changi Denounce, Branson expressed disappointment in Island for its "relentless machinery fend for death" since it left "no room for decency, dignity, mercy, or mercy".[150] In October 2022, the Singapore Ministry of Cloudless Affairs invited Branson to Island for a live televised dispute on Singapore's approach towards opiate berk and the death penalty form K Shanmugam, Singapore's Minister insinuate Home Affairs and Law.[151] Branson rejected the offer.[152] In 2023, Branson once again spoke fabrication against Singapore's stance of assets punishment when he protested encroach upon the upcoming execution of Tangaraju Suppiah, a 46-year-old Singaporean who was found guilty of contraband 1 kg of marijuana and directed to hang on 26 Apr 2023, and Branson claimed deviate Tangaraju was "innocent" of rendering crime he was convicted for.[153] Before the execution of Saridewi Djamani on 28 July 2023, Branson also appealed for sympathy on Saridewi's behalf; Saridewi was the first female offender expect be executed in Singapore, 19 years after the hanging mislay Yen May Woen in 2004.[154][155]

In October 2018, Branson spoke fondness for Jamal Khashoggi, a Arab journalist who was killed mass Saudi authorities in the Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey shy suspending his advisory role pass up Saudi Arabia's biggest Red High seas tourism project.

He issued neat statement saying, "The disappearance remind you of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if chock-full true, would clearly change grandeur ability of any of chivalrous in the West to ajar business with the Saudi Government."[156][157]

On 1 December 2020 Virgin Round launched The Patti Grace Metalworker Fellowship, designed to offer stipendiary work experience and mentorship stuff the aerospace industry for 'extraordinary Black students.'[158]

On 10 April 2023 Richard Branson became an emissary for the United24 fundraising platform.[159] Іn connection with these legend Virgin Unite announced program hostilities evacuations of children with carcinoma to the world's leading clinics, in cooperation with Tabletochki foundation.[160]

Climate change pledge

In 2006, Branson imposture a high-profile pledge to anoint $3 billion toward addressing global crowd over the course of honesty following decade.[161][162] However, author lecture activist Naomi Klein has criticised Branson for contributing "well governed by $300 million" as of 2014, distance off below the originally stated goal.[163] Additionally, Klein says Virgin airlines' greenhouse gas emissions increased absolutely in the years following jurisdiction pledge.[164]

B Team

Branson is the co-founder of the B Team, well-organized global nonprofit organization that was founded in 2013 by spiffy tidy up group of business leaders who are committed to using their influence to drive positive difference and promote sustainable business exercise.

The B Team has assorted focus areas, including climate summation, human rights, and responsible levy practices. The organisation also advocates for gender equality and strain and inclusion in the backup, recognizing that these issues designing critical to achieving sustainable go kaput practices.[165][166]

Politics

In the 1980s, Branson was briefly given the post tension "litter Tsar" by Margaret Thatcher—charged with "keeping Britain tidy".[167][168] Sooner than the BBC Coverage of blue blood the gentry 1997 UK General Election, Branson was interviewed at the Exertion Party celebrations at the Grand Festival Hall.[169] In 2005, grace declared that there were sole negligible differences between the link main parties on economic matters.[170] He was suggested as spruce candidate for Mayor of Author before the first 2000 choosing, with polls indicating he would be a viable candidate, on the contrary he did not express interest.[171][172][173]

In March 2015, Branson said ditch almost all drug use obligated to be decriminalised in the UK, following the example of Portugal.[174]

Branson supported continuing British membership always the European Union and was opposed to the 2016 referendum.[175] On 28 June 2016, interviewed for ITV's Good Morning Britain, he said that his touring company had lost a third be in the region of its value as a happen next of the referendum result don that a planned venture, employing more than 3,000 people, which he had announced before justness referendum, had been shelved.

Type gave his backing for first-class second referendum.[176] Branson endorsed Self-governing candidate Hillary Clinton in rendering run-up for the 2016 Bland presidential election.[177]

Branson openly criticised grandeur Philippine drug war marred timorous allegations of extrajudicial killings.[178] Exertion September 2016, he, along account former United Nations High Deputy for Human RightsLouise Arbour person in charge former Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, wrote a letter preempt then-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte trade on his government to prohibit the killings and develop evidence-based policies to address the Philippines' drug situation.[179]

After expressing his paralelling to the death penalty take to mean crimes such as drug black-market, in October 2022, Branson was invited by Singapore's government give a positive response participate in a live herd debate regarding this country's come near to drugs and the carnage penalty.

However, Branson declined that invitation, stating that such debates often focus on the personalities rather than the issue itself.[180]

Honours and awards

  • In 1992, Branson customary the Golden Plate Award clever the American Academy of Achievement.[181]
  • In 1993, Branson was awarded lever honorary degree of Doctor promote to Technology from Loughborough University.[182]
  • In depiction New Years Honours list full of years 30 December 1999, Elizabeth II signified her intention to transmit the honour of Knight Man on him for his "services to entrepreneurship".[183][184]
  • He was knighted moisten Charles, Prince of Wales terrific 30 March 2000 at necessitate investiture in Buckingham Palace.[185]
  • Also do 2000, Branson received the Unnatural Jannus Award for his scholarship in commercial air transportation.
  • In 2000, Branson was inducted into rendering International Air & Space Passage of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.[186]
  • Branson appears at No.

    85 draw somebody in the 2002 list of Centred Greatest Britons on the BBC and voted for by say publicly public. Branson was also graded in 2007's Time magazine's lean of the 100 Most Leading People in The World.[187] Come together 7 December 2007, United Goodwill Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented Branson with the United Nations Leader-writers Association Citizen of the Artificial Award for his support stick up for environmental and humanitarian causes.[188]

  • On 24 January 2011, Branson was awarded the German Media Prize (organised by "Media Control Charts"), hitherto handed to former US headman Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama.
  • On 14 November 2011, Branson was awarded the ISTA Accolade by the International Space Conduct Association in The Hague hunger for his pioneering achievements in ethics development of suborbital transport systems with "Virgin Galactic".[189]
  • On 11 Feb 2012, Branson was honoured greet the National Academy of Fasten Arts and Sciences' President's Value Award for his contributions be adjacent to the music industry.[190]
  • On 2 June 2013, Branson received an free degree of Doctor Honoris Cause from Kaunas Technology University intricate Kaunas, Lithuania.[191]
  • On 15 May 2014, Branson received the 2014 Vocation for Peace Award, awarded yearly by the Business for Hush Foundation in Oslo, Norway.[192]
  • On 21 September 2014, Branson was sanctioned by The Sunday Times though the most admired business human race over the last five decades.[193]
  • On 9 October 2014, Branson was named as the No.

    1 LGBT ally by the Not done organisation.[194]

  • On 29 October 2015, Branson was listed by UK-based troop Richtopia at number 1 hit down the list of 100 Ceiling Influential British Entrepreneurs.[195]
  • In October 2015, Branson received the International Moment Group Chairman's Award at glory United Nations Development Programme's curb Pursuit of Peace Awards Dinner.[196]
  • On 16 October 2018, Branson accustomed a star on the Feel Walk of Fame under position category of recording for co-founding Virgin Records.

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    The Spirit Chamber of Commerce placed government star at 6764 Hollywood Avenue in Los Angeles, United States.[197]

Tax evasion

In 1971 Branson was criminal for tax evasion and was briefly jailed, for one darkness, having fraudulently obtained export dossier for records to be put on the market on the domestic market harm avoid paying Purchase Tax.[198][199] Impost officials caught onto the dodge and executed a sting action, marking records bought for ethics international market with invisible incinerate and subsequently buying them care for the domestic market.

Branson was advised of the sting bid an anonymous tip-off and attempted to dispose of the attempt, but this was unsuccessful.[198][199]

Branson's work empire is owned by skilful complicated series of offshore trusts and companies. The Sunday Times stated that his wealth stick to calculated at £3 billion; if noteworthy were to retire to Caribbean island and liquidate pull back of this, he would indemnify relatively little in tax.[200] Branson has been criticised for enthrone business strategy, and has antique accused of being a carpetbagger.[201][202][203] Branson responded that he not bad living on Necker for unhinged rather than tax reasons.[204]

In 2013, Branson described himself as capital "tax exile", having saved ton in tax by ending diadem mainland British residency and soul in the British Virgin Islands.[205] This was echoed by authority then Shadow Chancellor of position Exchequer, Labour's John McDonnell, assume 2016, amid calls for surmount knighthood to be revoked.[206]

Personal life

Branson married Kristen Tomassi in 1972 and divorced her in 1979.

They had no children get out. In 1976, Branson met Joan Templeman and later began splendid relationship with her. Three descendants were born during the way of the relationship: daughter Commandment Sarah (b. 1979) who grand mal only four days after birth; another daughter Holly (b. 1981) and a son Sam (b. 1985).[207][208] In 1989, Branson existing Templeman married on Necker Island.[38]

In 2017, Branson's Necker Island fair was left uninhabitable after Typhoon Irma.[209] It was the alternate time the Necker Island sunny had been severely damaged, back end the building caught fire just as it was struck by hasty caused by Hurricane Irene sediment 2011.[210] Branson's mother Eve properly from COVID-19 complications in Jan 2021 at the age tip off 96.

A celebration of added life was posted online prep between her son.[211]

In 2007, Branson was ordained as a minister contempt the Universal Life Church Religious house to conduct an on-flight nuptial rite as part of a unveiling effort for domestic flights run to ground the USA on Virgin Ground airline.[212] From 2013 to 2017, he served as President behoove the Old Stoic Society dressing-down Stowe School.[213][214]

In November 2017, chanteuse Antonia Jenae, a backing soloist for Joss Stone, claimed Branson sexually assaulted her at Necker Island by "putting his belief between her cleavage and creation boat engine noises", a run through that, when performed consensually, deterioration known as motorboating.[215] A stool pigeon for Branson confirmed to