Richard Branson

Biography

Sir Richard Branson was born in 1950 and educated at Stowe School. It was there that he set up Student magazine at the age of 16.

In 1970 Branson founded Virgin as a mail order record retailer, and shortly afterwards he opened a record shop in Oxford Street, London. In 1972 Virgin built a recording studio in Oxfordshire where the first Virgin artist, Mike Oldfield, recorded Tubular Bells.

In 1977 Virgin signed the Sex Pistols and went on to sign many household names from Culture Club to the Rolling Stones, helping to make Virgin Music one of the top six record companies in the world.

With around 200 companies in over 30 countries, the Virgin Group has now expanded into leisure, travel, tourism, mobile, broadband, TV, radio, music festivals, finance and health and through Virgin Green Fund they are investing in renewable energy and resource efficiency.

In February 2007, Virgin announced the Virgin Earth Challenge - a $25 million prize to encourage a viable technology, which will result in the net removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases. In July of the same year Branson had the honor of joining Peter Gabriel, Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel, and Desmond Tutu to announce the formation of The Elders, a group of leaders to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity to tackle some of the worlds toughest problems.

Sir Richard Branson is also very proud of the work of Virgin Unite, a not-for-profit entrepreneurial foundation, which continues to focus on entrepreneurial approaches to social and environmental issues and enjoy supporting.

Branson currently lives in London and is married with two children.