Virgin Group: Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Virgin Group Ltd
| name = Virgin Group Limited
| logo = virgin-logo.svg
| logo = virgin-logo.svg
| image = The Office (Virgin Atlantic Headquarters), Manor Royal, Crawley (August 2016).jpg
| image = The Office (Virgin Atlantic Headquarters), Manor Royal, Crawley (August 2016).jpg
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| type = [[Private company limited by shares|Private]]
| industry = [[Conglomerate (company)|Conglomerate]]
| industry = [[Conglomerate (company)|Conglomerate]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1970|02}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|1970|02}}
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}}
}}


'''Virgin Group [[Ltd]]'''<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=1993-09-28 |title=Virgin Group Limited overview - Find and update company information - Gov.uk |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02857673 |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref> is a British [[multinational corporation|multinational]] [[venture capital]] [[conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] founded by [[Richard Branson]] and [[Nik Powell]] in February 1970.
'''Virgin Group Limited'''<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=1993-09-28 |title=Virgin Group Limited overview - Find and update company information - Gov.uk |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02857673 |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref> is a British [[multinational corporation|multinational]] [[venture capital]] [[conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] founded by [[Richard Branson]] and [[Nik Powell]] in February 1970.


Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by [[Companies House]], who class it as a [[holding company]]; however, Virgin's business and trading activities date back to the 1970s. The net worth of Virgin Group was estimated at £3&nbsp;billion as of early 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Branson |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/richard-branson/?sh=2af7a0e86ff5 |website=Forbes |access-date=1 May 2023}}</ref>
Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by [[Companies House]], who class it as a [[holding company]]; however, Virgin's business and trading activities date back to the 1970s. The net worth of Virgin Group was estimated at £3&nbsp;billion as of early 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Branson |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/richard-branson/?sh=2af7a0e86ff5 |website=Forbes |access-date=1 May 2023}}</ref>
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| 10%
| 10%
| Publishing
| Publishing
|-
| [[Virgin Startup|Virgin Casino]]
| data-sort-value="0" | Brand licensed to Gamesys Operations Limited
| Online casino
|-
|-
| [[Virgin Experience Days]]
| [[Virgin Experience Days]]
| data-sort-value="0" | Brand licensed to Inflexion Private Equity
| data-sort-value="0" | Brand licensed to Inflexion Private Equity
| Hospitality
|-
| [[Virgin Startup|Virgin Experience Gifts]]
| data-sort-value="0" | Brand Licensed to Virgin Experience Gifts Ltd.
| Hospitality
| Hospitality
|-
|-
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| 33.3%
| 33.3%
| Broadband
| Broadband
|-
| [[Virgin Startup|Virgin Gifts]]
| data-sort-value="0" | Brand licensed to Virgin Gifts Ltd.
| Hospitality
|-
|-
| [[Virgin Galactic]]
| [[Virgin Galactic]]
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| 25%
| 25%
| Business services
| Business services
|-
| [[Virgin Startup|Virgin Pure]]
| data-sort-value="0" | Partnership agreement with [[Strauss Group]]
| Consumer goods
|-
|-
| [[Virgin Radio]]
| [[Virgin Radio]]
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==Formerly owned ventures==
==Formerly owned ventures==
{{Div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Absolute Radio]]: formerly Virgin Radio UK, rebranded in 2008
* [[Absolute Radio]]: formerly Virgin Radio UK, rebranded in 2008
* [[Air Nigeria]]: Nigerian national airline launched as Virgin Nigeria, shares sold in 2010
* [[Air Nigeria]]: Nigerian national airline launched as Virgin Nigeria, shares sold in 2010
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* [[Virgin Films]]: film production company
* [[Virgin Films]]: film production company
* [[Virgin Games]]: sold to [[Gamesys]] in 2013
* [[Virgin Games]]: sold to [[Gamesys]] in 2013
* Virgin Games Centre, retail chain, formed by the acquisition of the "Game Centre" retailer in 1984, rebranded as [[Future Zone (retailer)|Future Zone]] in 1993
* [[Virgin Green Fund]]: shut down in 2014
* [[Virgin Green Fund]]: shut down in 2014
* [[Virgin Health Bank]]: sold to [[Qatar Foundation]]
* [[Virgin Health Bank]]: sold to [[Qatar Foundation]]
* [[Virgin Hyperloop]]: High Speed Rail Travel - Rebranded back to previous name ‘Hyperloop One’,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/virgin-hyperloop-one-name-change-221202324.html|title=Virgin pulls its name from Hyperloop One (update)|date=4 November 2022|website=Engadget}}</ref> went bankrupt in January 2024.
* [[Virgin Hyperloop]]: High Speed Rail Travel - Rebranded back to previous name ‘Hyperloop One’,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/virgin-hyperloop-one-name-change-221202324.html|title=Virgin pulls its name from Hyperloop One (update)|date=4 November 2022|website=Engadget}}</ref> went bankrupt in January 2024.
* [[Virgin Interactive]]: Game Developer and publisher, bought by various companies, and renamed [[Avalon Interactive]] in 2003
* [[Virgin Interactive]]: Game Developer and publisher, bought by various companies, and renamed [[Avalon Interactive]] in 2003
* Virgin Limobike: Virgin Atlantic announced they will cut complimentary ground transfers for Upper Class passengers in February 2020 - Virgin Limobike has since rebranded to ‘Limobike’ <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/02/20/virgin-atlantic-to-cut-complimentary-ground-transfers-for-upper-class-passengers/|title=Virgin Atlantic to cut complimentary ground transfers for Upper Class passengers|website=Business Traveller}}</ref>
* Virgin Limobike: Virgin Atlantic announced they will cut complimentary ground transfers for Upper Class passengers in February 2020 - Virgin Limobike has since rebranded to "Limobike"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/02/20/virgin-atlantic-to-cut-complimentary-ground-transfers-for-upper-class-passengers/|title=Virgin Atlantic to cut complimentary ground transfers for Upper Class passengers|website=Business Traveller}}</ref>
* Virgin Limousines: a former [[limousine]] service that operated mostly in the US and Canada. It operated for 14 years, until November 2010.
* Virgin Limousines: a former [[limousine]] service that operated mostly in the US and Canada. It operated for 14 years, until November 2010.
* [[Virgin Media]] (including [[Virgin Mobile UK]]): UK Cable TV, broadband internet and Fixed and Mobile telephony provider—bought by [[Liberty Global]]
* [[Virgin Media]] (including [[Virgin Mobile UK]]): UK cable TV, broadband Internet and fixed and mobile telephony provider—bought by [[Liberty Global]]
* [[Virgin Mobile Australia]]: mobile phone service provider in Australia—shares sold to [[Optus]] in 2006
* [[Virgin Mobile Australia]]: mobile phone service provider in Australia—shares sold to [[Optus]] in 2006
* [[Virgin Mobile France]]: mobile phone service provider in France—shares sold to [[Numericable-SFR]] in 2014
* [[Virgin Mobile France]]: mobile phone service provider in France—shares sold to [[Numericable-SFR]] in 2014
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* [[Virgin Music]]: sold to [[Universal Music Group]]
* [[Virgin Music]]: sold to [[Universal Music Group]]
* [[The One account|Virgin One account]]: shareholding sold to co-owner (RBS) in 2003
* [[The One account|Virgin One account]]: shareholding sold to co-owner (RBS) in 2003
* [[Virgin Orbit]]: aerospace - declared  [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] bankruptcy on 4 April 2023
* [[Virgin Orbit]]: aerospace—declared [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] bankruptcy on 4 April 2023
* Virgin Sports: Active lifestyle company - Sold to LimeLight Sports in September 2020 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/limelight-sports-virgin-sport-mass-participation-takeover/|title=LimeLight Sports buys mass participation company Virgin Sport|first=Michael|last=Long|date=8 September 2020}}</ref>
* [[Virgin Play]]: Spanish game distributor and publisher, filed for liquidation and closed in 2009
* [[Virgin Plus]] (formerly Virgin Mobile Canada): mobile phone service provider in Canada—shares sold to joint venture partner [[Bell Mobility]] in 2009
* Virgin Pure: Consumer goods company in partnership with [[Strauss Group]], rebranded to Our Taap in 2025
* Virgin Sports: Active lifestyle company—sold to LimeLight Sports in September 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/limelight-sports-virgin-sport-mass-participation-takeover/|title=LimeLight Sports buys mass participation company Virgin Sport|first=Michael|last=Long|date=8 September 2020}}</ref>
* [[Virgin Sun Airlines]]: scheduled and charter airline, closed in 2001
* [[Virgin Sun Airlines]]: scheduled and charter airline, closed in 2001
* [[Virgin Play]]: Spanish game distributor and publisher, filed for liquidation and closed in 2009
* Virgin Snow, 1986 joint venture with Bladon Lines Ski Vacations<ref>Ski - Feb 1986 [https://books.google.com/books?id=GYAFoXjOdJkC&pg=PA16 Page 16]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404143045/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=GYAFoXjOdJkC&pg=PA16 |date=4 April 2019 }} "The program, called 'Virgin Snow,' is available in seven resorts this season, including Zermatt, Verbier, Val dTsere and St. Anton."</ref>
* [[Virgin Plus]]: (formerly Virgin Mobile Canada) mobile phone service provider in Canada—shares sold to joint venture partner [[Bell Mobility]] in 2009
* Virgin Snow, 1986 joint venture with Bladon Lines Ski Vacations<ref>Ski - Feb 1986 [https://books.google.com/books?id=GYAFoXjOdJkC&pg=PA16 Page 16] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404143045/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=GYAFoXjOdJkC&pg=PA16 |date=4 April 2019 }} "The program, called "Virgin Snow." is available in seven resorts this season, including Zermatt, Verbier, Val dTsere and St. Anton."</ref>
* [[Virgin Trains ExpressCoach]]: former operator of inter-city bus & coach services (51%)
* [[Virgin Trains ExpressCoach]]: former operator of inter-city bus & coach services (51%)
* [[Virgin CrossCountry]]: former operator of the Cross Country [[train|railway]] franchise in the United Kingdom, superseded by [[Arriva CrossCountry]] in 2007 (51%)
* [[Virgin CrossCountry]]: former operator of the Cross Country [[train|railway]] franchise in the United Kingdom, superseded by [[Arriva CrossCountry]] in 2007 (51%)
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* Virginware: clothing retailer
* Virginware: clothing retailer
* [[Virgin Wines]]: online wine market, sold to Direct Wines in 2005
* [[Virgin Wines]]: online wine market, sold to Direct Wines in 2005
*[[Virgin Trains West Coast]]: train operating company on the [[West Coast Main Line]]. Renewed franchise bid unsuccessful, superseded by [[Avanti West Coast]] in December 2019 (51%)
* [[Virgin Trains West Coast]]: train operating company on the [[West Coast Main Line]]. Renewed franchise bid unsuccessful, superseded by [[Avanti West Coast]] in December 2019 (51%)
*[[Virgin Trains East Coast]]: train operating company, supersed by [[London North Eastern Railway]] in June 2018 (10%)
* [[Virgin Trains East Coast]]: train operating company, supersed by [[London North Eastern Railway]] in June 2018 (10%)
*[[Brightline|Virgin Trains USA]]: train operating company between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. Branding deal launched in late 2018, ended in 2020.
* [[Brightline|Virgin Trains USA]]: train operating company between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. Branding deal launched in late 2018, ended in 2020.
*Virgin Video (aka Virgin Vision): home video distributor, sold to [[Orion Pictures|Management Company Entertainment Group]] in 1989.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=AP|date=1989-07-27|title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Film Concern Is Being Sold|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/27/business/the-media-business-film-concern-is-being-sold.html|access-date=2022-01-28|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* Virgin Video (aka Virgin Vision): home video distributor, sold to [[Orion Pictures|Management Company Entertainment Group]] in 1989.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=AP|date=1989-07-27|title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Film Concern Is Being Sold|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/27/business/the-media-business-film-concern-is-being-sold.html|access-date=2022-01-28|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* [[Virgin Vacations]]: Former USA based tour operator, closed on 31 March 2019
* [[Virgin Vacations]]: Former USA-based tour operator, closed on 31 March 2019
{{Div col end}}


==Controversies==
==Controversies==

Latest revision as of 11:18, 10 October 2025

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Virgin Group Limited[1] is a British multinational venture capital conglomerate founded by Richard Branson and Nik Powell in February 1970.

Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding company; however, Virgin's business and trading activities date back to the 1970s. The net worth of Virgin Group was estimated at £3 billion as of early 2023.[2]

History

The name "Virgin" arose in 1970 when Richard Branson and Nik Powell formed a record shop, first as mail order and in 1971 with a physical store.[3] They considered themselves virgins in business.[4] Branson has described the "V" in the logo as an expressive tick, representing the Virgin seal of approval.[4]

The original logo from 1973 was a completely different design intended to be used for the record company that was founded by Richard Branson and Nik Powell. The logo was designed by British science-fiction artist and designer Roger Dean. According to Richard Branson in interviews and on the Virgin website, the more recent signature logo, introduced in 1978, was based on one that designer Ray Kyte scribbled on a napkin after a design meeting.[5][6]

Corporate affairs

Virgin Group has its headquarters in Whitfield Studios in Soho, a district of the City of Westminster. The group moved to this location in November 2024; the space is renowned for its music history as a creative hub for musical legends such as the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Spice Girls & Amy Winehouse.

Whitfield Studios also houses the head offices for other Virgin Group owned companies, such as Virgin Red, Virgin Unite, Virgin StartUp, Virgin Limited Edition & Big Change.

Previously, the Virgin Group were based at the Porchester Building in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, The Battleship Building in Paddington, a district of the City of Westminster and at The School House in Brook Green, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.[7][8]

The Virgin Group of companies have a complex structure that contains elements of a generic conglomerate and a keiretsu, and sometimes it simply licences its brand. Examples of licensing are Virgin Records and Virgin Media, which are owned by Universal Music Group and Liberty Global respectively.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

In mid-May 2013, the Virgin Group expressed its intention to seek out opportunities in Australia's healthcare industry to consolidate on the Group's Australian fitness centres. The Group also runs over 100 National Health Service (NHS) services in the United Kingdom and the healthcare division of medical services group Assura after entering the British healthcare industry in 2011.[9]

Virgin Group announced the establishment of Virgin Voyages on 4 December 2014 with financial backing from Bain Capital. The cruise line would be led by CEO Tom McAlpin, would have two new large ships built and be based in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area.[10][11]

Virgin StartUp

Virgin StartUp is the Virgin Group's non-profit company, helping entrepreneurs across the UK to start, fund and scale their business. In 2013, Branson visited Boxpark in Shoreditch, London, to launch the new organisation, revealing that he wanted to support anyone that had the same dreams and ambitions that he did as a young boy: “It was £300 from my mum that sparked the Virgin adventure 40 years ago. Today, young people need that same help and I believe Virgin StartUp will provide it – with access to early capital, strong mentorship, advice and promotion.”[12]

The organisation became a delivery partner for the UK Government's Start Up Loans Company,[13] providing loan finance of between £500 and £25,000, advice, and mentoring to thousands of start-ups across the country. In 2016, it was awarded European Regional Development Funding[14] and subsequently launched Ready, Steady, Grow with Virgin StartUp, a programme of support aimed at start-ups that were ready to grow. A year later, it launched the UK's first equity-based crowdfunding accelerator programme, Crowdboost.[15]

By 2018, the organisation had supported over 11,000 UK-based entrepreneurs, with over £35m in pre-seed funding.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Foodpreneur

In 2014, Branson and Virgin StartUp launched the "Foodpreneur" food and drink focused start-up competition. Winners received mentorship from Branson, legal support, and brand counseling.[16] The 2014 winners included Proper Beans, Killer Tomato, Sweetpea Pantry, and Sweet Virtues.

In 2015, winners were given the opportunity to pitch Target Corporation buyers in the US. The 2015 winners included Pip & Nut, Double Dutch Drinks, Harry Bromptons, Cauli Rice, and Mallow and Marsh.[17]

Only one start-up was announced winner of the 2017 Foodpreneur prize, The Snaffling Pig Co., who won a six-week rental space at intu Lakeside, the shopping centre with the highest foot traffic in the U.K.[18]

Senior leadership

  • Chairman: Peter Norris (since 2009)
  • Chief Executive: Josh Bayliss (since 2014)

List of former chairmen

  1. Sir Richard Branson (1970–2009)

List of former chief executives

  1. Sir Richard Branson (1970–2005)
  2. Stephen Murphy (2005–2011)
  3. David Baxby and Josh Bayliss (2011–2014)

Subsidiaries and investments

File:G-VINE A330 Virgin Atlantic by Mark Harkin.jpg
An Airbus A330 of Virgin Atlantic Airways

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Company Ownership percentage Sector
Virgin Active 20% Health, gyms
Virgin Atlantic 51% Travel, airline
Virgin Atlantic Holidays 51% Travel, tour operator
Virgin Australia HoldingsScript error: No such module "Unsubst". 5% Travel, airline
Virgin Balloon Flights Brand licensed to AirXcite Ltd Entertainment, hot air balloons
Virgin Bet 100% Online bookmaker
Virgin Books 10% Publishing
Virgin Experience Days Brand licensed to Inflexion Private Equity Hospitality
Virgin Fibra 33.3% Broadband
Virgin Gifts Brand licensed to Virgin Gifts Ltd. Hospitality
Virgin Galactic 11.9%[19] Travel, aerospace
Virgin Games Brand licensed to Gamesys Operations Limited Online casino
Virgin Gift Card 100% Retail
Virgin Hotels 100% Travel, hotels
Virgin Limited Edition 100% Travel, hotels
Virgin Media O2 Brand licensed to VMED O2 UK Limited, a 50/50 joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica Communications
Virgin Megastores Brand licensed to Azadea Group, Megastores of Lebanon SAL and Retail Holding SA Retail
Virgin Mobile Brand licensed to numerous entities, operating Virgin-branded mobile virtual network operators Communications
Virgin Money Australia Brand licensed to Bank of Queensland[20] Banking
Virgin Money UK Brand licensed to Nationwide Building Society[21] Banking
Virgin Music Group Brand licensed to Universal Music Group Music
Virgin Plus Brand licensed to Bell Canada[22] Communications
Virgin Produced 100% Entertainment
Virgin Pulse 25% Business services
Virgin Radio Brand licensed to numerous entities, operating Virgin-branded radio stations Entertainment, radio
Virgin Rail Group 51% Travel, train
Virgin Records Brand licensed to Universal Music Group Music
Virgin Red 100% Loyalty program
Virgin Unite 100% Charity
Virgin Startup 100% Charity
Virgin Telco 100% Communications
Virgin Trains Ticketing 100% Ticket retailer, trains
Virgin Voyages 49% Travel, cruises
Virgin Wines Brand licensed to Virgin Wine Online Ltd (UK) & Direct Wines (Australia)[23] Retail, wine

Formerly owned ventures

Template:Div col

Template:Div col end

Controversies

The group's health business received significant media coverage over its legal battle with NHS groups. It sued clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Surrey after it lost out on an £82 million contract to provide children's health services across the country. The NHS bodies settled out of court with a £328,000 payout to Virgin Care, resulting in some controversy. More than 100,000 people backed a petition calling on the company to stop "dragging the NHS through the courts".[31][32]

References

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External links

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  7. "Our company information Template:Webarchive". Virgin Group. Retrieved 14 October 2013. "The Battleship Building, 179 Harrow Road, London W2 6NB"
  8. "Our company information Template:Webarchive." Virgin Group. Retrieved 14 January 2009. "The School House 50 Brook Green London, W6 7RR England"
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