Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, K.B., is a British businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder of the Virgin Group, a massive multinational conglomerate spanning aviation, space tourism, media, and telecom. Born in London, England, in 1950, his career is defined by entrepreneurial audacity, brand audacity, and long-term technological risk-taking.

Branson left school at age 16 (due to dyslexia) to start his first venture, a magazine called Student. His philosophical approach centers on brand disruption, customer service, and vertical integration (controlling the entire supply chain from music retail to space travel). His structural contribution is immense: pioneering a lifestyle brand that disrupted sectors globally (airlines, records, telecom).

• Virgin Group (Founder & Patriarch): The core private asset, a massive conglomerate spanning aviation (Virgin Atlantic), space tourism (Virgin Galactic/Orbit), telecom (Virgin Mobile), and leisure (brands include Virgin Records, Virgin Active).
• Brand Pioneer: His success is built on mastering brand connection with consumers and scale entry into highly regulated or monopolistic industries.
• Academic Note: He left school at age 16 and has dyslexia.
• Philanthropy: He founded the Virgin Unite Foundation and the Elders global peace initiative (with Nelson Mandela).

Sir Richard Branson's strategic genius was his commitment to brand storytelling and disruption. 1970: Virgin Records. He founded Virgin Records, successfully building it into a major music label (signing acts like Sex Pistols). 1984: Virgin Atlantic. He launched Virgin Atlantic Airways, successfully challenging the state-owned airline monopoly (British Airways). His structural contribution is tied to pioneering the low-cost, high-service airline model and driving deregulation in global aviation.

His current focus is space tourism (Virgin Galactic) and environmental advocacy. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of his diversified brand licensing and equity holdings.

Sir Richard Branson is a major global philanthropist. His structural social impact is tied to the Virgin Group's role in driving competition and consumer value across numerous sectors. His Virgin Unite Foundation provides a massive structural contribution to global peace, climate action, and entrepreneurship (funding the B Team). His co-founding of the Elders promotes global human rights and conflict resolution.

His structural contribution is tied to his belief in entrepreneurial audacity and the power of business to solve global problems.

Sir Richard Branson maintains the professional, yet adventurous, style of a corporate executive. His attire is consistently pragmatic, often favoring casual shirts and jackets. His aesthetic reflects charisma, disruption, and his personal journey of extreme risk-taking (including his famous hot air balloon attempts).

Residing on Necker Island, British Virgin Islands, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to brand management, technological innovation, and global advocacy.