This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ams80 (talk | contribs) at 09:25, 11 April 2003 (Removing irrelevant criticism of '100 Greatest Britons'). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 09:25, 11 April 2003 by Ams80 (talk | contribs) (Removing irrelevant criticism of '100 Greatest Britons')(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Sir Richard Branson, (born 1950) is a famed British entrepreneur, is best known for his widely successful Virgin brand, a banner that encompasses a variety of business organizations. Current ventures include the Virgin Atlantic airline (a major competitor to British Airways in prestige), the chain of Virgin Megastores retail shops, and Virgin financial services. Also part of the empire is Virgin Trains
Branson first achieved notoriety with Virgin Records, a record label that introduced bands like the Sex Pistols and Culture Club to the world music scene. Branson was knighted by the Queen for his business prowess and exuberance for the spirit of the United Kingdom. Known for his wacky exploits used to promote his businesses, Branson is keen on playful antagonisms, exemplified by his "Mine is bigger than yours" decals on the new Airbus A340-600 jets used by his airline.
Branson appears in the 2002 List of "100 Greatest Britons" (sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public), alongside others ranging from Winston Churchill and Isaac Newton to David Beckham and Aleister Crowley.