Virgin Group

Richard Branson and Nik Powell moved from mail-order records into retail, opening an Oxford Street shop in 1971 and developing The Manor studio. Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a record label originating in the UK from Richard Branson and Nik Powell’s early Virgin music business. Launched as a label in 1973, it became associated with artists including Mike Oldfield and the Sex Pistols and later entered EMI and Universal Music ownership.Open the full entry and Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells established the music business in 1973.⁠[1]

Virgin AtlanticVirgin 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 extended the business into aviation in 1984. Later ventures included Virgin MobileVirgin MobileVirgin Mobile is a mobile-services brand used in multiple markets. Its UK operation launched as a mobile virtual network operator in 1999. Local businesses have different operators, network partners and histories; the original UK customer base moved to O2 plans in 2023.Open the full entry, Virgin ActiveVirgin 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, Virgin GalacticVirgin GalacticVirgin Galactic is a commercial spaceflight company founded by Richard Branson in 2004. It develops air-launched suborbital spacecraft for private passengers, research and other missions. VSS Unity began commercial flights in 2023, followed by a transition to Delta-class spacecraft development.Open the full entry, Virgin HotelsVirgin 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 and Virgin VoyagesVirgin VoyagesVirgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise company backed by Virgin Group and Bain Capital. Its fleet comprises Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady, carrying guests aged 18 and over.Open the full entry, alongside music and entertainment. The group also invests in businesses that do not use the Virgin name.⁠[1]

Virgin Records was sold to Thorn EMI in 1992. Subsequent changes further separated brand use from ownership. Virgin Group is an investment and brand platform whose operating businesses have different ownership arrangements.⁠[2][3]

Richard Branson established 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 in 2004 to develop philanthropic partnerships. 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 followed in 2013, supporting UK entrepreneurs through funding, mentoring and business assistance. The EldersThe EldersThe Elders is an independent group of global leaders launched by Nelson Mandela in 2007 to work for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable future. Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel proposed the original concept; it is not a Virgin Group commercial subsidiary.Open the full entry and The B TeamThe B TeamThe B Team is a business-leadership initiative launched by Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz in 2013 to promote environmental and social responsibility and long-term prosperity. Its work includes climate action, corporate transparency, responsible taxation and a just transition.Open the full entry are associated with Virgin’s philanthropic network but have their own missions and governance.⁠[1][4][5]

Peter NorrisPeter NorrisPeter Norris is an investment-banking and business-management executive who has chaired Virgin Group since 2009. He previously chaired Virgin Active and Virgin Atlantic and participates in the governance of Virgin Hotels.Open the full entry has chaired the group since 2009, 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 has been CEO since 2011 and Holly BransonHolly BransonHolly Branson is a Virgin Group 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 Unite and co-founded Big Change.Open the full entry works on vision and philanthropy. Ultimate holding company Virgin Group Holdings Limited is registered in the British Virgin Islands. Its board, group management and operating-company boards are distinct governance levels.⁠[2][6]

Virgin Media O2Virgin Media O2Virgin Media O2 is a UK telecommunications business formed in June 2021 by combining Virgin Media and O2 UK. Owned equally by Liberty Global and Telefónica, it provides fixed broadband, mobile, television and telephone services.Open the full entry is a Liberty Global–Telefónica joint venture; Virgin MoneyVirgin MoneyVirgin Money is a UK financial-services brand acquired by Nationwide in 2024. Its banking business transferred to Nationwide on April 2, 2026, while the brand continues for the time being. The Australian brand has a separate operator.Open the full entry’s banking business transferred to Nationwide in 2026; and Virgin Music GroupVirgin Music GroupVirgin Music Group is a Universal Music Group division providing distribution, marketing, technology and rights services to independent artists, labels and rights holders. Established in 2022, it completed the acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings in 2026. It is distinct from the Virgin Records label.Open the full entry belongs to Universal Music Group. Their ownership differs from businesses such as Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Hotels.⁠[2][7][8][9]

Virgin Group: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1]

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: Official link: https://www.big-change.org/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][10]

Virgin AustraliaVirgin AustraliaVirgin Australia is an Australian airline group launched as Virgin Blue in 2000 and rebranded in 2011. Following administration and acquisition by Bain Capital in 2020, it returned to public markets in 2025, when Qatar Airways Group acquired a 25% interest, diluted to 23.4% at the IPO.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virginaustralia.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][12]

Virgin Hotels: Official link: https://virginhotels.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][13]

Virgin Hotels CollectionVirgin Hotels CollectionVirgin Hotels Collection is the hospitality parent formed in January 2023 for Virgin Hotels and Virgin Limited Edition, connecting city hotels, boutique retreats and residential development.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virginhotelscollection.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][14]

Virgin RedVirgin 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: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/virgin-red (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][15]

Virgin StartUp: Official link: https://www.virginstartup.org/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][4][5][16]

Holly Branson: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/holly-branson (opens in a new window).⁠[2][6][17]

Peter Norris: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/about-virgin/virgin-group/senior-team (opens in a new window).⁠[2][6][6]

Virgin Money: Official link: https://uk.virginmoney.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[2][7][8][9][8]

Richard Branson: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson (opens in a new window).⁠[1][18]

Virgin Limited EditionVirgin Limited EditionVirgin Limited Edition is Richard Branson’s collection of boutique retreats, private islands and safari camps across the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. It shares parent Virgin Hotels Collection with the urban lifestyle brand Virgin Hotels.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virginlimitededition.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][19]

Nik Powell: Official link: https://nfts.co.uk/article/nfts-announces-sad-passing-former-director-nik-powell (opens in a new window).⁠[1][20]

Virgin MegastoreVirgin MegastoreVirgin Megastore is an entertainment and lifestyle retail brand originating in Virgin’s music retail business. Its history connects to Richard Branson, Nik Powell and the early record shops; contemporary regional businesses sell music, books, electronics, games and lifestyle products.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/virgin-companies/virgin-megastore (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][21]

The B Team: Official link: https://www.bteam.org/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][4][5][4]

Virgin Voyages: Official link: https://www.virginvoyages.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][22]

Virgin Active: Official link: https://www.virginactive.co.uk/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][23]

Virgin AmericaVirgin AmericaVirgin America was a US airline launched in 2007, acquired by Alaska Air Group in 2016 and integrated into Alaska Airlines’ passenger-facing operations in 2018. It was separate from Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.alaskaair.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][24]

Virgin Atlantic: Official link: https://www.virginatlantic.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][25]

Virgin Media O2: Official link: https://www.virginmediao2.co.uk/ (opens in a new window).⁠[2][7][8][9][7]

Virgin TrainsVirgin TrainsVirgin Trains is a rail brand historically associated with Britain’s West Coast Main Line from 1997 to 2019. A later European international-train proposal is a separate project; a 2025 depot-access decision did not mean passenger services had launched.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][26]

Virgin Galactic: Official link: https://www.virgingalactic.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][27]

Eve BransonEve BransonEve Branson (1924–2021) was a British philanthropist, writer and former flight attendant, and Richard Branson’s mother. She founded the Eve Branson Foundation to support crafts, vocational training and communities in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/eve-branson (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][28]

The Elders: Official link: https://theelders.org/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][4][5][5]

Virgin Music Group: Official link: https://www.virginmusic.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[2][7][8][9][9]

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: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/sam-branson (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][29]

Eve Branson FoundationEve Branson FoundationThe Eve Branson Foundation supports communities in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains through craft training, livelihood skills and education. Founded by Eve Branson, it dates its origins differently in its biography and timeline, to 2005 and 2006 respectively.Open the full entry: Official link: https://evebransonfoundation.org.uk/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][11]

Virgin Records: Official link: https://www.virginrecords.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][30]

Virgin OrbitVirgin OrbitVirgin Orbit was a US satellite-launch company founded in 2017. It air-launched LauncherOne rockets from a modified Boeing 747, began commercial service in 2021 and entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2023 before announcing asset sales and cessation of operations. It was distinct from Virgin Galactic.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230523006077/en/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][31]

Virgin Mobile: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/virgin-companies (opens in a new window).⁠[1][32]

Virgin Radio InternationalVirgin Radio InternationalVirgin Radio International is the international Virgin radio brand network, operating through regional partnerships and brand licensing. Virgin’s directory reported more than 60 stations as of July 2026, with different local operators and programming.Open the full entry: Official link: https://www.virginradio.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[1][3][10][11][33]

Virgin Unite: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/virgin-unite (opens in a new window).⁠[1][4][5][34]

Josh Bayliss: Official link: https://www.virgin.com/about-virgin/virgin-group/senior-team (opens in a new window).⁠[2][6][6]

X public account: https://twitter.com/virgin (opens in a new window).⁠[1]

LINKEDIN public account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virgin (opens in a new window).⁠[1]

YOUTUBE public account: https://www.youtube.com/virgin (opens in a new window).⁠[1]