Holly Branson
Holly Branson is a Virgin GroupVirgin GroupVirgin Group is an investment and brand group originating in the record business established by Richard Branson and Nik Powell in 1970. Its network spans aviation, travel, hospitality, health, telecommunications, finance and spaceflight. Virgin-branded businesses have distinct ownership and operating arrangements.Open the full entry leader and philanthropic co-founder. Trained in medicine and physiology, she worked as a doctor before joining Virgin in 2008. She leads work on the group’s vision and culture, chairs Virgin UniteVirgin UniteVirgin Unite is Virgin Group’s charitable foundation, established by Richard Branson in 2004. It supports partnerships addressing social and environmental issues and helped develop initiatives including The Elders and The B Team, which have their own governance.Open the full entry and co-founded Big ChangeBig ChangeBig Change is a UK charity founded in 2012 by Holly Branson, Sam Branson, Princess Beatrice and friends. It supports changes in education and related systems affecting young people and is distinct from similarly named commercial software companies.Open the full entry.
Contents6 sections
Key facts
2008From medicine to Virgin leadership
The daughter of Richard and Joan Branson, Holly completed degrees in medicine and physiology and worked as a doctor before joining Virgin’s leadership team in 2008. Her responsibilities developed around people, culture, the environment and the group’s long-term vision.[1]
2012Co-founding Big Change
In 2012 Holly Branson, Sam BransonSam BransonSam Branson is a British filmmaker, musician and philanthropic co-founder, and the son of Richard and Joan Branson. He founded Sundog Pictures, co-founded HiddenLight Productions and Big Change, and releases music as Waves Rush In.Open the full entry, Princess Beatrice and friends initiated Big Change. Initial fundraising for young people developed into support for early-stage ideas and systemic improvements in education, mental health and social care. Holly serves as a founder and trustee.[2]
From 2018: WEconomy and corporate responsibility
In 2018 she co-authored WEconomy with Marc and Craig Kielburger, addressing social purpose in business. She supported Virgin Management and Virgin StartUpVirgin StartUpVirgin StartUp is a UK not-for-profit founded in 2013 to support entrepreneurs through startup finance, mentoring and business assistance. It belongs to Virgin’s entrepreneurship network and differs from a conventional equity venture-capital fund.Open the full entry’s participation in the Better Business Act campaign and serves as chair of Virgin Unite.[1]
Group responsibilities: Vision and philanthropic governance
As of November 2026, the group leadership directory lists her as Chief Vision Officer; her personal biography uses Chief Purpose and Vision Officer. Both descriptions concern vision and purpose, distinct from Josh BaylissJosh BaylissJosh Bayliss is chief executive of Virgin Group, leading its strategy, brand and investment development since 2011. He became chair of Virgin Atlantic on June 1, 2026.Open the full entry’s role as group CEO.[3]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Holly Branson: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/holly-branson (opens in a new window).[1]
Big Change: Official link: https://www.big-change.org/ (opens in a new window).[2][2]
Virgin StartUp: Official link: https://www.virginstartup.org/ (opens in a new window).[1][4]
Richard BransonRichard BransonRichard Branson is a British entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group. Beginning with a youth magazine and mail-order records, he expanded into aviation, leisure, telecommunications, finance and commercial spaceflight. He also founded Virgin Unite and is known for ballooning expeditions and his 2021 suborbital flight.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson (opens in a new window).[1][5]
Virgin Group: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/ (opens in a new window).[1][6]
Sam Branson: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/sam-branson (opens in a new window).[2][7]
Virgin Unite: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/virgin-unite (opens in a new window).[1][8]
Josh Bayliss: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/about-virgin/virgin-group/senior-team (opens in a new window).[3][3]