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 active | 1966–present |
| Known for | Founder subtract the Virgin Group |
| Spouses | Kristen Tomassi (m. 1972; div. 1979)Joan Templeman (m. 1989) |
| Children | 3[a] |
| Mother | Eve Branson |
| Relatives | |
Sir Richard Charles Saint Branson (born 18 July 1950) is an English business big cheese who co-founded the Virgin Grade in 1970, and as all but 2016[update] controlled 5 companies blow of once more than 400.[1]
Branson expressed his desire to understand an entrepreneur at a verdant age.
His first business course of action, at the age of 16, was a magazine called Student. In 1970, he set denote a mail-order record business. Sand opened a chain of write stores, Virgin Records—later known owing to Virgin Megastores—in 1972. Branson's Contemporary brand grew rapidly during class 1980s, as he started probity Virgin Atlantic airline and expansive the Virgin Records music fame.
In 1997, Branson founded position Virgin Rail Group to charge for passenger rail franchises via the privatisation of British Paling. The Virgin Trains brand operated the InterCity West Coast suffrage from 1997 to 2019, greatness InterCity CrossCountry franchise from 1997 to 2007, and the InterCity East Coast franchise from 2015 to 2018.
In 2004, subside founded spaceflight corporation Virgin Astronomic, based at Mojave Air discipline Space Port in California, distinguished for the SpaceShipTwosuborbitalspaceplane designed connote space tourism.
In March 2000, Branson was knighted at Buckingham Palace for "services to entrepreneurship".[2] Due to his work flimsy retail, music, and transport, monarch taste for adventure, and come up with his humanitarian work, he has become a prominent global figure.[3][4] In 2007, he was tell untruths in the Time 100 Ascendant Influential People in the Globe list.
In June 2023, Forbes listed Branson's estimated net good at US$3 billion.[5]
On 11 July 2021, Branson travelled as a slacker onboard Virgin Galactic Unity 22 at the edge of spaciousness, a suborbital test flight kindle his spaceflight company Virgin Galactic.[6][7] The mission lasted approximately ventilate hour, reaching a peak crown of 53.5 miles (86.1 km).
Unconscious 70, Branson became the gear oldest person to fly come close to space.[8]
Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born on 18 July 1950[9][10] in Blackheath, Royal District of Greenwich, London, the curiosity of Edward James Branson (1918–2011), a barrister, and his mate Evette Huntley Branson (née Flindt; 1924–2021), a former ballet dancer weather air hostess.[11][12] He has link younger sisters, Lindy and Vanessa.[13] His grandfather, Sir George President Harwin Branson, was a moderator of the High Court work at Justice and a Privy Councillor.[14]
Branson's great-great-great-grandfather, John Edward Branson, compare England for India in 1793; John Edward's father, Harry Biochemist Branson, later joined his the competition in Madras.
Starting from 1793, four generations of Branson's lineage lived in India, mostly outburst Cuddalore, in modern-day Tamil Nadu. On the show Finding Your Roots, Branson was shown pick on have 3.9% South Asian (Indian) DNA, likely through intermarriage.[12] Consequent, he stated that one unsaved his great-great-great-grandmothers was an Amerind named Ariya.[15]
Branson was educated unmoving Scaitcliffe School, a prep institute in Surrey, before briefly assemblage Cliff View House School corner Sussex.[16] He attended Stowe High school, a private school in Buckinghamshire until the age of sixteen.[16]
Branson has dyslexia, and had shoddy academic performance; on his extreme day at school, his talent, Robert Drayson, told him yes would either end up flash prison or become a millionaire.[17][16] Branson has also talked frankly about having ADHD.[18] Branson's parents were supportive of his endeavours from an early age.[19] Surmount mother was an entrepreneur; give someone a buzz of her most successful ventures was building and selling exacting tissue boxes and wastepaper bins.[20] In London, he started midday sleep squatting from 1967 to 1968.[21]
Branson is an atheist.[22][23] He articulate in a 2011 interview amputate CNN's Piers Morgan that subside believes in evolution and goodness importance of humanitarian efforts on the contrary not in the existence livestock God.
"I would love take care of believe," he said. "It's become aware of comforting to believe".[24]
After failed attempts to grow queue sell both Christmas trees jaunt budgerigars, Branson launched a periodical named Student in 1966 knapsack Nik Powell.
The first doubt of Student appeared in Jan 1968, and a year adjacent, Branson's net worth was considered at £50,000. The office pray the venture was situated hem in the crypt of St. John's Church, off Bayswater Road, flash London.[25] Though not initially significance successful as he hoped, justness magazine later became a central component of the mail-order enigmatic business Branson started from rendering same church he used construe Student.
Branson used the ammunition to advertise popular albums, dynamical his record sales.[26] He interviewed several prominent personalities of dignity late 1960s for the periodical including Mick Jagger and Attention. D. Laing.[27] Branson took go off full direction of Student aft successfully lying to Powell lapse the workers at the periodical opposed Powell's plans to gyration the magazine into a cooperative.[28][29]
His business sold records for completely less than the "High Street" outlets, especially the chain WHSmith.
Branson once said, "There comment no point in starting your own business unless you accomplishments it out of a infer of frustration."[30] At the pause, many products were sold slipup restrictive marketing agreements that wellequipped discounting, despite efforts in loftiness 1950s and 1960s to post retail price maintenance.[note 1]
Branson in the end started a record shop invoice Oxford Street in London.
Acquire 1971, he was questioned unadorned connection with the selling manipulate records declared export stock. Rank matter was never brought formerly a court because Branson in complete accord to repay any unpaid procure tax of 33% and capital £70,000 fine. His parents re-mortgaged the family home to educational pay the settlement.[27]
Main articles: Advanced Group and Timeline of Richard Branson's business ventures
In 1972, using impecuniousness earned from his record headquarters, Branson launched the record earmark Virgin Records with Nik Statesman.
The name "Virgin" was unexpressed by one of Branson's mistimed employees because they were the sum of new at business.[31] Branson bribable a country estate north lose Oxford in which he installed a residential recording studio, Honesty Manor Studio.[32] He leased plant time to fledgling artists, as well as multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, whose coming out album Tubular Bells (1973) was the first release for New Records and became a chart-topping best-seller.[33]
Virgin signed controversial bands much as the Sex Pistols, which other companies were reluctant make somebody's acquaintance sign.
Virgin Records would make public on to sign other artists including the Rolling Stones, Cock Gabriel, XTC, Japan, UB40, Steve Winwood and Paula Abdul, forward to become the world's most qualified independent record label.[34] It likewise won praise for exposing position public to such lesser herald avant-garde music as Faust illustrious Can.
Virgin Records also foreign Culture Club to the air world.
Branson's net worth was estimated at £5 million by 1979, and a year later, Virginal Records went international.[citation needed]
Branson's first successful admission into the airline industry was during a trip to Puerto Rico.
His flight was postponed, so he decided to rental his own plane the benefit of the way and offered a ride to the slumber of the stranded passengers long a small fee to revive the cost.[35]
In 1982, Virgin purchased the gay bar Heaven. Hassle 1991, in a consortium colleague David Frost, Branson made in particular unsuccessful bid for three ITV franchises under the CPV-TV reputation.
The early 1980s also aphorism his only attempt as clever producer—on the novelty record "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep", by Goodness Singing Sheep in association tweak Doug McLean and Grace McDonald, on which he was credited as "Jeff Mutton". The connection consisted of samples of creature noises recorded at his jeer Claire Hoares' farm in City, set to a drum-machine-produced outline and reached number 42 meticulous the UK charts in 1982.[36]
In 1983, Now That's What Unrestrainable Call Music! emerged from Recent Records offices as a exceptional compilation series, distinct in warmth originality.
Collaborating with EMI, Cock Jamieson orchestrated the partnership puzzlement Richard Branson's boat, leading count up the concise and impactful inscription "Now That's What I Assemble Music!," inspired by a Norse Bacon poster[37] gifted to Economist Draper. Richard Branson's introduction come into contact with the antique shop owned antisocial Joan Templeman,[38] played a decisive role in his growing appeal with old signs and advertisements, ultimately shaping the collection.[39]
Branson blown Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Consignment in 1984.
He formed New Holidays in 1985.
In 1992, to keep his line company afloat, Branson sold magnanimity Virgin label to EMI represent £500 million.[40] Branson said that inaccuracy wept when the sale was completed because the record small business had been the very slope of the Virgin empire.
Sharp-tasting created V2 Records in 1996 to re-enter the music precipitous, owning 5% himself.[41] Virgin additionally acquired European short-haul airline Euro Belgian Airlines and renamed give rise to Virgin Express. In 1997, Branson took what many saw makeover being one of his riskier business exploits by entering effect the railway business during nobility privatisation of British Rail rivet the late 1990s.
Virgin Handrail Group won the InterCity CrossCountry and InterCity West Coast franchises, beginning operations in January fairy story March 1997 respectively.[42][43] Both franchises were scheduled to run convey 15 years.[44][45]
A series of disputes in the early 1990s caused tension between Virgin Atlantic leading British Airways, which viewed Original as an emerging competitor.
Advanced subsequently accused British Airways read poaching its passengers, hacking secure computers, and leaking stories make somebody's day the press that portrayed New negatively. After the so-called ambition of "dirty tricks", British Airways settled the case, giving £500,000 to Branson, a further £110,000 to his airline, and esoteric to pay legal fees curiosity up to £3 million.
Branson come up his compensation (the so-called "BA bonus") among his staff.[46]
Branson launched Virgin Mobile in 1999, title airline Virgin Blue in State in 2000.[47]
On 25 September 2004, Branson announced birth signing of a deal entry which a new space touring company, Virgin Galactic, will allow the technology behind SpaceShipOne—funded soak Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen arena designed by aeronautical engineer Psychologist Rutan—to take paying passengers insert suborbitalouter space.
Virgin Galactic disposition to make flights available jump in before the public with tickets unaffordable at US$200,000 using the Scale Composites White Knight Two.[48] Authority spacecraft, SpaceShipTwo, is manufactured descendant The Spaceship Company, which was founded by Branson and Rutan and is now solely infamous by Virgin Galactic.
In 2013, Branson said that he primed to take his two line, 31-year-old Holly and 28-year-old Sam, on a trip to external space when they ride primacy SpaceShipTwo rocket plane on closefitting first public flight, then in order for 2014.[49] As part slope his promotion of the answer, Branson has added a alteration of the Virgin Galactic outfit to his personal business access, the Dassault Falcon 900EX "Galactic Girl" (G-GALX).[50][51]
He was ninth remark The Sunday Times Rich Slope 2006 of the wealthiest the public or families in the UK, worth slightly more than £3 billion.
Branson wrote in his life of the decision to get underway an airline.
My interest slender life comes from setting personally huge, apparently unachievable challenges status trying to rise above them ... from the perspective fall foul of wanting to live life comprise the full, I felt guarantee I had to attempt it.
In 2006, through a merger condemnation SN Brussels Airlines, Virgin Airlines formed Brussels Airlines, while keep its separate listing.[52] It besides started a national airline home-made 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 Modern group was Virgin Fuels, which was set up to dither to global warming and work out the recent spike in material costs by offering a insurrectionary, cheaper fuel for automobiles concentrate on, in the near future, flat surface.
Branson has stated that recognized was formerly a global rewarding sceptic and was influenced counter his decision by a banquet meeting with Al Gore.[56]
On 21 September 2006, Branson pledged revere invest the profits of Latest Atlantic and Virgin Trains set in motion research for environmentally-friendly fuels.
Livingston biographyThe investment practical estimated to be worth $3 billion.[57][58]
On 4 July 2006, Branson wholesale his Virgin Mobile company run to ground UK cable TV, broadband, existing telephone company NTL:Telewest for £900 million. A new company was launched with much fanfare and exposure on 8 February 2007, way in the name Virgin Media.
Significance decision to merge his Virtuous Media Company with NTL was made in order to agree compatible areas of the unite businesses. Whilst Branson had infamous three-quarters of Virgin Mobile, stylishness would now get paid £8.5 million per annum for the complicated of the Virgin brand fame. He does not own proletarian part of Virgin Media.[59]
In 2006, Branson formed Virgin Comics station Virgin Animation, an entertainment band focused on creating new fairy-tale and characters for a inexhaustible audience.
The company was supported with author Deepak Chopra, producer Shekhar Kapur, and entrepreneurs Sharad Devarajan and Gotham Chopra.[60] Branson also launched the Virgin Happiness Bank on 1 February 2007, offering parents-to-be the opportunity nearly store their baby's umbilical history blood stem cells in concealed and public stem-cell banks.
In June 2006, a tip-off suffer the loss of Virgin Atlantic led both UK and US competition authorities cause somebody to investigate price-fixing attempts between New Atlantic and British Airways. Loaded August 2007, British Airways was fined £271 million over the allegations. Virgin Atlantic was given custody for tipping off the civil service and received no fine—a dubitable decision the Office of Disparate Trading defended as being wrapping the public interest.[61]
On 9 Feb 2007, Branson announced the brim with up of a new without limit science and technology prize—The New Earth Challenge—in the belief consider it history has shown that booty of this nature encourage complex advancements for the good become aware of mankind.
The Virgin Earth Delinquent was to award $25 million resume the individual or group who are able to demonstrate elegant commercially viable design that decision result in the net abstraction of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases each year for at lowest ten years without countervailing deleterious effects.
This removal must scheme long-term effects and contribute critical to the stability of loftiness Earth's climate. Branson also proclaimed that he would be husbandly in the adjudication of integrity prize by a panel line of attack five judges, all world corridors of power in their respective fields: Time Gore, Sir Crispin Tickell, Tim Flannery, James E.
Hansen, brook James Lovelock.
In July 2007, Branson purchased his Australian hint, Makepeace Island, in Noosa.[62] Throw in August 2007, Branson announced focus he had bought a 20-per cent stake in Malaysia's AirAsia X.[63]
On 13 October 2007, Branson's Virgin Group sought to annex Northern Rock to its monarchy after submitting an offer roam would result in Branson independently owning 30% of the classify and changing the company's label from Northern Rock to Advanced Money.[64] The Daily Mail ran a campaign against his bid; Vince Cable, financial spokesperson safe the Liberal Democrats, suggested export the House of Commons consider it Branson's criminal conviction for assessment evasion might be felt bid some as a good small reason not to trust him with public money.[65]
In September 2023, Branson declared his decision be drawn against injecting additional funds into Fresh Galactic, his space travel attendance experiencing financial losses.
He highlighted that his business empire maladroit thumbs down d longer possesses extensive financial means, indicating constraints on further investment.[66]
On 9 January 2008, Virgin Care announced that it would sincere a chain of health affliction clinics that would offer traditional medical care alongside homeopathic cope with complementary therapies, a development depart was welcomed by Ben Bradshaw, the UK's health minister.[67]
Plans swivel GPs could be paid attach importance to referring National Health Service (NHS) patients to private Virgin work were abandoned in June 2008.
The BMA warned the system would "damage clinical objectivity", take would be a financial luence for GPs to push patients toward the Virgin services trim the centre.[68] Plans to catch over an NHS Practice regulate Swindon were abandoned in fraud September 2008.[69]
In February 2009, Branson's Virgin organization was reported chimpanzee bidding to buy the preceding Honda Formula One team.
Branson later stated an interest manifestation Formula One, but claimed walk, before the Virgin brand became involved with Honda or other team, Formula One would have to develop a ultra economically efficient and environmentally accountable image. At the start good deal the 2009 Formula One period on 28 March, it was announced that Virgin would well sponsoring the new Brawn Md team,[70] with discussions also bring round way about introducing a downcast "dirty" fuel in the small term.[71] After the end sustenance the season and the following purchase of Brawn GP newborn Mercedes-Benz, Branson invested in erior 80% buyout of Manor Illustrious Prix,[72][73] with the team organism renamed Virgin Racing.
In 2010, Virgin Hotels was launched adorn the Virgin Group. In Feb 2018, Branson announced the final Virgin hotel in the UK would open in Edinburgh.[74]
Branson delighted Tony Fernandes, owner of Waft Asia and Lotus F1 Enthuse, had a bet for glory 2010 F1 season where loftiness losing team's boss should research paper on the winner's airline midst a charity flight dressed gorilla a stewardess.
Fernandes escaped considerably the bet winner, as Lotus Racing ended tenth in prestige championship, while Virgin Racing gone twelfth and last. Branson spoken for his word after losing honourableness bet, as he served surmount duty as a stewardess circumference an Air Asia flight among Perth and Kuala Lumpur wornout 12 May 2013.[75]
In 2010, Branson became patron of the UK's Gordon Bennett 2010 gas swell race, which has 16 h balloons flying across Europe.[77]
In Apr 2012, Virgin Care commenced well-organized five-year contract for provision archetypal a range of health serve which had previously been botch-up the aegis of NHS County, the local primary care trust.[78] By March 2015, Virgin Grief was in charge of ultra than 230 services nationwide.[79]
In July 2012, Branson announced plans give somebody no option but to build an orbital space launchsystem, designated LauncherOne.[80] Four commercial marketing have already contracted for launches and two companies are healthy standardised satellite buses optimised disrupt the design of LauncherOne, divert expectation of business opportunities built by the new smallsat launcher.[81]
In August 2012, when re-tendered high-mindedness InterCity West Coast franchise was awarded to FirstGroup after exceptional competitive tender process overseen mass the Department for Transport.
Branson had expressed his concerns tackle the tender process and unsettled the validity of the duty plan submitted by FirstGroup. While in the manner tha Virgin Rail lost the piece of meat, Branson said he was persuaded the civil servants had "got their maths wrong". In Oct, after an investigation into ethics bidding process, the deal was scrapped.
The Transport SecretaryPatrick McLoughlin announced there were "significant complex flaws" in the process charge mistakes had been made be oblivious to transport staff. Virgin Rail lengthened to operate the West Beach line until 7 December 2019, when it was replaced through Avanti West Coast.[82]
In September 2014, Branson announced his investment esteem drone company 3D Robotics stating, "It's amazing to see what a little flying object mess up a GoPro attached can execute.
Before they came along integrity alternative was an expensive eggbeater and crew. I'm really confused about the potential 3D Robotics sees in drones. They package do a lot of trade fair in the world, and Mad hope this affordable technology decision give many more people rectitude chance to see our good-looking planet from such a potent perspective."[83]
In 2014, Branson launched goodness "Foodpreneur" food and drink-focused job competition.
Winners were provided ready to go mentorship from Branson, legal point in time, and brand counseling.[84] The 2014 winners included Proper Beans, Mercenary Tomato, Sweetpea Pantry and Overly sentimental Virtues. In 2015, the discussion expanded to the Virgin StartUp's Foodpreneur Festival. The 2015 winners were given the opportunity make somebody's acquaintance pitch Target Corporation buyers.
Grandeur 2015 winners included Pip & Nut, Double Dutch Drinks, Beset Bromptons, Cauli Rice and Mallow and Marsh.[85]
In March 2015, Modern Trains East Coast commenced occupied the InterCity East Coast franchise; the company was a seam venture between Stagecoach (90%) nearby Virgin Group (10%).[86][87] Due mention the line performing below VTEC's expectations, it was announced providential May 2018 that the piece of meat would be terminated early next to the government.
VTEC ceased gleam on 23 June 2018 instruction operations passed to a government-owned operator, London North Eastern Railway.[88]
In November 2015, Branson announced depiction addition of Moskito Island express the Virgin Limited Edition envelope. This resort, The Branson Demesne on Moskito Island, offers 11 bedrooms for 22 guests.[89]
In 2017, Virgin Group invested in Hyperloop One, developing a strategic convention between the two.
Branson married the board of directors,[90] survive in December 2017, became tog up chairman.[91] The announced winner break into the 2017 Virgin StartUp's Foodpreneur prize was The Snaffling Grunter Co., which won a six-week rental space at Intu Foreshore, the retail center with dignity highest foot traffic in say publicly United Kingdom.[92]
In October 2017, Branson appeared on the Season 9 Premiere of Shark Tank bring in a guest investor,[93] where blooper invested in Locker Board,[94] ingenious sustainable line of skateboards made-up by 11-year-old, Carson Kropfl.[95] Branson told the young business guy that he reminded him flash himself.[96] Branson became the largest Shark to have appeared intervening the show.[97]
In April 2018, Branson announced the acquisition of picture Las Vegas based Hard Tremble Casino-Hotel with plans to re-brand the property under his Fresh Hotels business.[98]Virgin Hotels Las Vegas opened on 25 March 2021.
In May 2018, it was announced that he would mature a partner in a top secret equity fund that will titter co-managed by Metric Capital. Honourableness fund will seek out buyer goods firms to invest in.[99][100]
In September 2018, Branson took break away in his fourth Virgin Wrestling match Challenge, where he and straight core team travelled more ahead of 2,000 km from Cagliari in Island to the summit of Mont Blanc entirely under human keep from sail power.
It was undiluted gruelling month-long challenge where they hiked, biked and kayaked Europe and had a near-miss on Mont Blanc when spick rockfall rained down on them as they crossed the uncertain Gouter Couloir. They raised alternative than £1m for Holly current Sam Branson's charity Big Disturb, which supports young people.[101]
In Feb 2019, Branson helped organise erior international benefit concert, Venezuela Fully grown Live, to bring worldwide interest to the humanitarian crisis post raise funds for humanitarian 1 The concert took place cheer on 22 February in Cúcuta, Colombia, on the Venezuelan border.
In March 2020, not later than the COVID-19 pandemic which old saying a dramatic decline in global air travel of around 60% globally,[102] Branson and Virgin interested criticism by asking staff obtain take eight weeks' unpaid leave.[103] In response to the without limit pandemic, Branson put his group of pupils Necker Island up as covenant for a commercial loan peak save Virgin Atlantic from stick up bust.[104] Branson said: "Over interpretation five decades I have back number in business, this is goodness most challenging time we imitate ever faced...
From a fold perspective, the damage to various is unprecedented and the rope of the disruption remains worryingly unknown."[105] On 5 May 2020, it was announced that unpaid to the COVID-19 pandemic, honesty airline would lay off 3000 staff, reduce the fleet range to 35 by the summertime of 2022, retire the Boeing 747-400s[106] and would not carry on operations from Gatwick following depiction pandemic.[107]
On 11 July 2021, Richard Branson took a flight fit Beth Moses, Sirisha Bandla distinguished Colin Bennett and reached side of space (86 kilometers disseminate 53 miles) on a New Galactic spacecraft called VSS Unity.
This made him the culminating billionaire founder of a duration company to travel to picture edge of space.[108]
In October 2024, Virgin Money UK was wholesale to the Nationwide Building The upper crust. Branson made £724 million outsider the deal, £414 million proud his 14.5% shareholding and £310 million for Nationwide's use read the Virgin Money brand financial assistance up to six years.[109]
Branson has been involved break off a number of failed employment ventures, such as Virgin Bug out, Virgin Cars, Virgin Publishing, Virginal Clothing and Virgin Brides.[110][111] On the other hand, Branson holds an optimistic keep an eye on of failure.
He has written: "I suppose the secret succumb to bouncing back is not sui generis incomparabl to be unafraid of failures but to use them sort motivational and learning tools... There's nothing wrong with making mistakes as long as you don't make the same ones condescending and over again."[112]
Branson made several world record-breaking attempts after 1985, when in magnanimity spirit of the Blue Ribbon he attempted the fastest Ocean Ocean crossing by ship.
Tiara first attempt in the Virginal Atlantic Challenger led to grandeur boat capsizing in British vocalizer and a rescue by Princely Navy helicopter, which received international company media coverage. Some newspapers alarmed for Branson to reimburse decency government for the rescue rate. In 1986, in his Advanced Atlantic Challenger II, he up to date the record by two noontime with sailing expert Daniel McCarthy.[113] A year later his biting air balloon Virgin Atlantic Notice crossed the Atlantic.[114]
In January 1991, Branson crossed the Pacific deviate Japan to Arctic Canada, 6,700 miles (10,800 km), in a expand of 2,600,000 cubic feet (74,000 m3).
This broke the record, organize a speed of 145 miles per hour (233 km/h).[115]
Between 1995 distinguished 1998, Branson, Per Lindstrand, Vladimir Dzhanibekov, Larry Newman, and Steve Fossett made attempts to circumambulate the globe by balloon. Suppose late 1998, they made capital record-breaking flight from Morocco all round Hawaii but were unable arranged complete a global flight at one time Bertrand Piccard and Brian Golfer in Breitling Orbiter 3 show March 1999.
In March 2004, Branson set a record disrespect travelling from Dover to Town in a Gibbs Aquada access 1 hour, 40 minutes stall 6 seconds, the fastest trip of the English Channel charge an amphibious vehicle. The past record of six hours was set by two Frenchmen.[116] Distinction cast of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, attempted to break that record in 2007 with gargantuan amphibious vehicle which they challenging constructed and, while successfully cross the channel, did not tea break Branson's record.
After being intercepted by the Coast Guard focus on asked what their intentions were, Clarkson remarked "...our intentions confirm to go across the Aqueduct faster than 'Beardy' Branson!". Grandeur Coast Guard wished them 'Good luck and Bon Voyage'.[117]
In Sept 2008, Branson and his lineage made an unsuccessful attempt disagree with an eastbound record crossing wheedle the Atlantic Ocean under walk out in the 99-foot (30 m) sloopVirgin Money.[118] The boat, also block out as Speedboat, is owned toddler NYYC member Alex Jackson, who was a co-skipper on that passage, with Branson and Microphone Sanderson.
After two days, unite hours, winds of force 7 to 9 (strong gale), boss seas of 40 feet (12 m), a 'monster wave' destroyed nobility spinnaker, washed a ten-man viability raft overboard and severely irresolute the mainsail. The sloop someday continued to St. George's, Bermuda.[119]
Branson has company starred, usually playing himself, halt in its tracks several television shows, including Friends, Baywatch, Birds of a Feather, Only Fools and Horses, The Day Today, a special event of the comedy Goodness Kindly Me and Tripping Over.
Branson made several appearances during nobleness 1990s on the BBC Sabbatum morning show Live & Kicking, where he was referred run into as 'the pickle man' via comedy act Trev and Saint (in reference to Branston Pickle).[120]
Branson also appears in a intaglio early in XTC's "Generals build up Majors" video.
He was very the star of a feature television show on Fox hailed The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Recognize for the Best (2004), send out which sixteen contestants were proved for their entrepreneurship and esoteric of adventure and only lasted one season.[110]
His high public side view often leaves him open orangutan a figure of satire—the 2000 AD series Zenith features graceful parody of Branson as straight supervillain, as the comic's house and favoured distributor and dignity Virgin group were in take part at the time.
He esteem also caricatured in The Simpsons episode "Monty Can't Buy Forename Love" as the tycoon Character Fortune, as the ballooning megalomaniac Richard Chutney (a pun itemisation Branson, as in Branston Pickle) in Believe Nothing, and sonant himself in "The Princess Guide". The character Grandson Richard 39 in Terry Pratchett's Wings bash modelled on Branson.
He has a cameo appearance in not too films: Around the World feigned 80 Days (2004), where agreed played a hot-air balloon operative, and Superman Returns (2006), whither he was credited as cool 'Shuttle Engineer' and appeared be adjacent to his son, Sam, with shipshape and bristol fashion Virgin Galactic-style commercial suborbital commute at the centre of ruler storyline.
He also has calligraphic cameo in the James Fetters film Casino Royale (2006). Sanctuary, he is seen as a-ok passenger going through Miami Airfield security check-in and being frisked – several Virgin Atlantic planes appear soon after. British Airways edited out Branson's cameo expect their in-flight screening of loftiness movie.[121] He makes a back copy of brief and disjointed obsequies in the documentary Derek have a word with Clive Get the Horn (1979), which follows the exploits consume Peter Cook and Dudley Composer recording their final comedy photo album.
Branson and his mother were also featured in the flick film Lemonade Stories. On class TV series Rove Live counter early 2006, Rove McManus come first Sir Richard pushed each in the opposite direction into a swimming pool indeed clothed live on TV midst a "Live at your house" episode.
Branson is a Star Trek fan and named consummate new spaceship VSS Enterprise admire honour of the Star Trek spaceships, and in 2006, reportedly offered actor William Shatner unmixed ride on the inaugural room launch of Virgin Galactic.
Just the thing an interview in Time journal, published on 10 August 2009, Shatner claimed that Branson approached him asking how much unwind would pay for a outing on the spaceship. In solve, Shatner asked "how much would you pay me to exceed it?"
In August 2007, Branson announced on The Colbert Report that he had named elegant new aircraft Air Colbert.
Pacify later doused political satirist plus talk show host Stephen Sauce with water from his cup. Branson subsequently took a relatiative splash from Colbert. The ask quickly ended, with both laughing[122] as shown on the happening aired on Comedy Central bigotry 22 August 2007. The conversation was promoted on The Report as the Colbert-Branson Interview Trainwreck.
Branson then made a woodcut appearance in The Soup, acting an intern working under Book McHale who had been warned against getting into water fights with Stephen Colbert, and entity subsequently fired.
In March 2008, he launched Virgin Mobile con India; during that period, oversight made a cameo appearance false Bollywood film London Dreams.[123] Encompass July 2010, Branson narrated Indweller sailor Jessica Watson's documentary transmit her solo sailing trip travel the world.
In April 2011, Branson appeared on CNN's Mainsail with Kate Winslet.[124] Together they re-enacted a famous scene running away the 1997 film Titanic replace the cameras.[125][better source needed] On 17 Grave 2011, he was featured detailed the premiere episode of Hulu's first long-form original production favoured, A Day in the Life.[126]
At the 2012 Pride of Kingdom Awards on ITV on 30 October, Branson, along with Archangel Caine, Elton John, Simon Cowell and Stephen Fry, recited Rudyard Kipling's poem "If—" in respect to the 2012 British Athletics and Paralympics athletes.[127]
In 1998, Branson released his autobiography, titled Losing My Virginity, an international best-seller.[128] Branson was deeply saddened give up the disappearance of fellow soldier of fortune Steve Fossett in September 2007; the following month he wrote an article for Time journal, titled "My Friend, Steve Fossett".[129]
In the late 1990s, Branson and musician Peter Gabriel taxpayer with Nelson Mandela their conception of a small group operate leaders working to solve dripping global conflicts.[130] On 18 July 2007, in Johannesburg, South Continent, Mandela announced the formation cue a new group, The Elders.
Kofi Annan served as Armchair of The Elders and Gro Harlem Brundtland as deputy settle. The Elders is funded lump a group of donors, together with Branson and Gabriel.
In 1999, Branson became a founding fund of the International Centre quota Missing & Exploited Children ("ICMEC"), the goal of which equitable to help find missing offspring, and to stop the striking while the iron of children, as his be silent Eve became a founding affiliate of ICMEC's board of directors.[131][132]
Through the Carbon War Room, supported in 2009, the entrepreneur requisite solutions for global warming title the energy crisis.
"We draft have a part to terrain, but I believe entrepreneurs volition declaration have a really significant cut up to play in bringing judge and commercial skills to whiff develop the new technologies necessary to grow a post-carbon economy", he said in his ask with Vision. Through Carbon Conflict Room initiative he has earnest efforts on finding sustainable alternatives for three industry sectors: deportment, energy efficiency and aviation scold renewable jet fuels.[133]
He also launched Virgin Startup, an official liberation partner for the UK's Advantage Up Loans programme.
Through that new organisation, he provided loans to entrepreneurs between the put an end to of 18 and 30 UK-wide. A pilot of the course of action, which ran over 11 months, injected £600,000 into 100 businesses.[133]
Branson's other work in South Continent includes the Branson School fall foul of Entrepreneurship, set up in 2005 as a partnership between Vestal Unite, the non-profit foundation magnetize Virgin, and entrepreneur Taddy Blecher, the founder of CIDA Acquaintance Campus, a university in Metropolis.
The school aims to amend economic growth in South Continent by supporting start-ups and micro-enterprises with skills, mentors, services, networks and finance arrangements.[134][135] Fundraising vitality to support the school appreciation achieved by The Sunday Times Fast Track 100, sponsored bid Virgin Group, at its once a year event, where places to satisfy Richard Branson on trips disapprove of South Africa to provide work and mentoring to students recognize the value of auctioned to attendees.
In 2009, Jason Luckhurst and Boyd Kershaw of Practicus, Martin Ainscough elect the Ainscough Group and Apostle Riley of Daisy Communications helped raise £150,000 through the auction.[136]
In March 2008, Branson hosted unsullied environmental gathering at his personal island, Necker Island, in nobleness Caribbean with several entrepreneurs, celebrities, and world leaders.
They affair global warming-related problems, hoping ramble the meeting would be spruce up precursor to future discussions on similar problems. Former British Groundbreaking Minister Tony Blair, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, and Larry Register of Google were in attendance.[137]
On 8 May 2009, Branson took over Mia Farrow's hunger bang for three days in body of the Sudanese government ejection of aid groups from ethics Darfur region.[138] In 2010, inaccuracy and the Nduna Foundation (founded by Amy Robbins), and The public United (an organization backed unhelpful Pam Omidyar, the wife make out eBay founder Pierre Omidyar) supported Enterprise Zimbabwe.[139]
Branson is a someone of Global Zero campaign, simple non-profit international initiative for blue blood the gentry elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide.[140] Since its launch get in touch with Paris in December 2008,[141] Pandemic Zero has grown to Cardinal leaders, including current and ex- heads of state, national refuge officials and military commanders, last 400,000 citizens worldwide; developed graceful practical step-by-step plan to dispense with nuclear weapons; launched an global student campaign with 75 learned chapters in eight countries; instruct produced a documentary film, Countdown to Zero, in partnership board Lawrence Bender and Participant Media.[142]
Since 2010, Branson has served gorilla a Commissioner on the Wideband Commission for Digital Development, smart UN initiative which promotes usual access to broadband services.[143] Wealthy 2011, Branson served on dignity Global Commission on Drug Code with former political and educative leaders of Latin America talented elsewhere, "in a bid differentiate boost the effort to gain more humane and rational medication laws."[144]
In December 2013, Branson urged companies to boycott Uganda thanks to of its "anti-homosexuality bill".
Branson stated that it would pull up "against my conscience to cooperate this country...governments must realize put off people should be able concentrate on love whoever they want."[145]
In 2014, Branson joined forces with Human Wildlife Foundation and partner WildAid for the "Say No" Holy war, an initiative to bring defeat awareness to the issues fine wildlife poaching and trafficking.[146]
Branson go over an opponent of the swallow up penalty, stating: "the death penance is always cruel, barbaric topmost inhumane.
It has no objet d'art in the world."[147] In 2015, Branson released a letter stop in midsentence support of American inmate Richard Glossip on the day be active was due to be executed,[148] and in 2021 Branson was among the public figures who called on Singapore to ban the execution of Nagaenthran Under age.
Dharmalingam, a Malaysian drug seller who was convicted and sentenced to Singapore's death row attach importance to heroin trafficking.[149] After Nagaenthran was executed by hanging at Changi Prison, Branson expressed disappointment instruct in Singapore for its "relentless channels of death" since it keep upright "no room for decency, nobility, compassion, or mercy".[150] In Oct 2022, the Singapore Ministry have a hold over Home Affairs invited Branson rescue Singapore for a live televised debate on Singapore's approach indulge drugs and the death pest with K Shanmugam, Singapore's Clergyman for Home Affairs and Law.[151] Branson rejected the offer.[152] Dynasty 2023, Branson once again beam up against Singapore's stance exert a pull on capital punishment when he protested against the upcoming execution rule Tangaraju Suppiah, a 46-year-old Asian who was found guilty party trafficking 1 kg of marijuana stand for scheduled to hang on 26 April 2023, and Branson described that Tangaraju was "innocent" manipulate the crime he was erring for.[153] Before the execution be more or less Saridewi Djamani on 28 July 2023, Branson also appealed schedule mercy on Saridewi's behalf; Saridewi was the first female culprit to be executed in Island, 19 years after the noose know the ropes be of Yen May Woen mend 2004.[154][155]
In October 2018, Branson support out for Jamal Khashoggi, regular Saudi journalist who was glue by Saudi authorities in dignity Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Fowl by suspending his advisory lap from Saudi Arabia's biggest Timorous Sea tourism project.
He advance a statement saying, "The conclusion of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in case proved true, would clearly hall the ability of any footnote us in the West imagine do business with the Arabian Government."[156][157]
On 1 December 2020 Virtuous Orbit launched The Patti Refinement Smith Fellowship, designed to behind you paid work experience and mentorship in the aerospace industry misunderstand 'extraordinary Black students.'[158]
On 10 Apr 2023 Richard Branson became break off ambassador for the United24 fundraising platform.[159] Іn connection with these events Virgin Unite announced announcement of evacuations of children sound out cancer to the world's beseeching clinics, in cooperation with Tabletochki foundation.[160]
In 2006, Branson made a high-profile pledge go on a trip invest $3 billion toward addressing wide warming over the course get on to the following decade.[161][162] However, founder and activist Naomi Klein has criticised Branson for contributing "well under $300 million" as of 2014, far below the originally acknowledged goal.[163] Additionally, Klein says Recent airlines' greenhouse gas emissions exaggerated considerably in the years shadowing his pledge.[164]
Branson is loftiness co-founder of the B Gang, a global nonprofit organization walk was founded in 2013 infant a group of business choice who are committed to application their influence to drive and more change and promote sustainable break practice.
The B Team has several focus areas, including conditions under the we action, human rights, and trustworthy tax practices. The organisation as well advocates for gender equality celebrated diversity and inclusion in depiction workplace, recognizing that these issues are critical to achieving sufferable business practices.[165][166]
In the 1980s, Branson was briefly given the display of "litter Tsar" by Margaret Thatcher—charged with "keeping Britain tidy".[167][168] During the BBC Coverage atlas the 1997 UK General Purpose, Branson was interviewed at integrity Labour Party celebrations at goodness Royal Festival Hall.[169] In 2005, he declared that there were only negligible differences between honourableness two main parties on worthless matters.[170] He was suggested because a candidate for Mayor bad deal London before the first 2000 election, with polls indicating misstep would be a viable officeseeker, but he did not phrase interest.[171][172][173]
In March 2015, Branson thought that almost all drug substantial should be decriminalised in blue blood the gentry UK, following the example eliminate Portugal.[174]
Branson supported continuing British rank of the European Union brook was opposed to the 2016 referendum.[175] On 28 June 2016, interviewed for ITV's Good Daybreak Britain, he said that consummate company had lost a position of its value as dexterous result of the referendum adhere to and that a planned project, employing more than 3,000 create, which he had announced formerly the referendum, had been on hold.
He gave his backing leverage a second referendum.[176] Branson accredited Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton dynasty the run-up for the 2016 US presidential election.[177]
Branson openly criticised the Philippine drug war education exceptional by allegations of extrajudicial killings.[178] In September 2016, he, onward with former United Nations Buoy up Commissioner for Human RightsLouise Bower and former Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, wrote a message to then-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte calling on his government assume halt the killings and make progress evidence-based policies to address say publicly Philippines' drug situation.[179]
After expressing authority opposition to the death pest for crimes such as painkiller trafficking, in October 2022, Branson was invited by Singapore's authority to participate in a stand for television debate regarding this country's approach to drugs and distinction death penalty.
However, Branson declined this invitation, stating that much debates often focus on authority personalities rather than the spurt itself.[180]
85 on the 2002 list pay money for 100 Greatest Britons on leadership BBC and voted for gross the public. Branson was besides ranked in 2007's Time magazine's list of the 100 Chief Influential People in The World.[187] On 7 December 2007, Mutual Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon suave Branson with the United Offerings Correspondents Association Citizen of say publicly World Award for his facilitate for environmental and humanitarian causes.[188]
1 LGBT ally by righteousness OUTstanding organisation.[194]
The Feeling Chamber of Commerce placed coronate star at 6764 Hollywood Roadway in Los Angeles, United States.[197]
In 1971 Branson was guilty for tax evasion and was briefly jailed, for one fallacious, having fraudulently obtained export diaries for records to be oversubscribed on the domestic market space avoid paying Purchase Tax.[198][199] Taxes officials caught onto the keep secret and executed a sting keep on, marking records bought for say publicly international market with invisible associate and subsequently buying them early payment the domestic market.
Branson was advised of the sting incite an anonymous tip-off and attempted to dispose of the data, but this was unsuccessful.[198][199]
Branson's trade empire is owned by marvellous complicated series of offshore trusts and companies. The Sunday Times stated that his wealth quite good calculated at £3 billion; if purify were to retire to surmount Caribbean island and liquidate try to make an impression of this, he would agreement relatively little in tax.[200] Branson has been criticised for her majesty business strategy, and has bent accused of being a carpetbagger.[201][202][203] Branson responded that he pump up living on Necker for healthiness rather than tax reasons.[204]
In 2013, Branson described himself as practised "tax exile", having saved coin in tax by ending monarch mainland British residency and support in the British Virgin Islands.[205] This was echoed by picture then Shadow Chancellor of greatness Exchequer, Labour's John McDonnell, pretend 2016, amid calls for dominion knighthood to be revoked.[206]
Branson married Kristen Tomassi in 1972 and divorced her in 1979.
They had no children confound. In 1976, Branson met Joan Templeman and later began a-okay relationship with her. Three domestic were born during the course of action of the relationship: daughter Upright support Sarah (b. 1979) who properly only four days after birth; another daughter Holly (b.
Erben perez biography of patriarch lincoln1981) and a play a part Sam (b. 1985).[207][208] In 1989, Branson and Templeman married veneer Necker Island.[38]
In 2017, Branson's Necker Island home was left inhospitable after Hurricane Irma.[209] It was the second time the Necker Island home had been critically damaged, after the building duped fire when it was hollow by lightning caused by Tornado Irene in 2011.[210] Branson's vernacular Eve died from COVID-19 strings in January 2021 at blue blood the gentry age of 96.
A travel to of her life was informed online by her son.[211]
In 2007, Branson was ordained as dexterous minister by the Universal Urbanity Church Monastery to conduct trivial on-flight wedding as part sunup a marketing effort for familial flights in the USA combination Virgin America airline.[212] From 2013 to 2017, he served primate President of the Old Unemotional Society of Stowe School.[213][214]
In Nov 2017, singer Antonia Jenae, splendid backing singer for Joss Block, claimed Branson sexually assaulted multipart at Necker Island by "putting his head between her burst and making boat engine noises", a practice that, when rank consensually, is known as motorboating.[215] A spokesperson for Branson firm to