Peter Norris

Peter Norris is an investment-banking and business-management executive who has chaired Virgin Group Virgin 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 since 2009. He previously chaired Virgin Active Virgin ActiveVirgin Active is an international health-club brand whose first club opened in Preston, UK, in 1999. It operates across Southern Africa, the UK, Italy and Asia-Pacific. Major shareholder Brait reported a 61.3% stake following a 2026 capital restructuring.Open the full entry and Virgin Atlantic Virgin AtlanticVirgin Atlantic is a British airline founded by Richard Branson in 1984, providing long-haul passenger and cargo services. It operates a transatlantic joint venture with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, joined SkyTeam in 2023 and appointed Josh Bayliss chair in 2026.Open the full entry and participates in the governance of Virgin Hotels Virgin HotelsVirgin Hotels is a Virgin lifestyle hotel brand whose first property opened in Chicago in 2015, followed by expansion in the United States and United Kingdom. Since 2023 it has shared parent company Virgin Hotels Collection with Virgin Limited Edition.Open the full entry.

Contents5 sections

Key facts

1996–2009Adviser and group chair

Peter Norris began advising Virgin Group in 1996 and became its chair in 2009. His background spans investment banking and business management, including a previous chairmanship of Virgin Active.⁠[1]

2012–2026Chair of Virgin Atlantic

He chaired Virgin Atlantic from 2012, during the development of its transatlantic joint venture with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, entry into SkyTeam, pandemic restructuring and recapitalisation. His tenure also included the airline’s loyalty partnership with Virgin Red Virgin RedVirgin Red is Virgin’s cross-brand rewards program, using Virgin Points for shopping, travel and experiences. The rewards club launched in 2021 to connect different Virgin businesses and works alongside brand-specific programs such as Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club.Open the full entry.⁠[2]

May 2026Airline chairmanship transition

Peter Norris stepped down as Virgin Atlantic chair on May 31, 2026, with Josh Bayliss Josh 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 succeeding him the following day. He retained his chairmanships of Virgin Group and Virgin Hotels.⁠[2]

Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts

Peter Norris: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/about-virgin/virgin-group/senior-team (opens in a new window).⁠[1]

Virgin Hotels: Official link: https://virginhotels.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[2][3]

Virgin Red: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/virgin-red (opens in a new window).⁠[2][4]

Richard Branson Richard 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 Active: Official link: https://www.virginactive.co.uk/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][6]

Virgin Atlantic: Official link: https://www.virginatlantic.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[2][7]

Virgin Group: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/ (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).⁠[2][1]

Sources