UK’s Billionaire Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson is perhaps one of Britain’s best known billionaire, the founder and leader of Virgin Group is worth approximately $4.1 billion and is responsible for controlling more than 400 companies. The billionaire became interested in business ventures even from a very young age and began a mail order record business in 1970 then known as Virgin Records. The business experienced rapid growth in the 1980s and he expanded his business ventures to start the Virgin Atlantic Airline and a music label. He also founded his own spaceflight company called Virgin Galatic in 2004 with the aim of promoting space tourism.

Richard Branson famously received his knighthood in 2000 for his entrepreneurship and is very well known for his outgoing and slightly eccentric character, humanitarian work and business ventures across the globe. He is one of the richest men in the United Kingdom.

The billionaire was born in Blackheath, London and recived his education in Surrey and Buckinghamshire. He struggled in his school years due to dyslexia. His parents also had an entrepreneurial spirit and were very supportive of his business ventures. He began his life in London as a squatter between 1967 and 1968 and began his career by trying to sell Christmas Tree before he started a magazine called student, less than a year later he had already amassed a net worth of £50,000.

When he started his record store business he was able to grow quickly and make sales because he was able to undercut the prices of larger retailers. The name ‘Virgin’ was selected for his business because he was relatively new to business and because he and his employees were new to business.

Though he has seen his net worth drop recently he continues to be one of the most successful British entrepreneurs in the modern age.