Editing Richard Branson (section)

=== 2008–2019: Hotels, healthcare and charitable influence ===
On 9 January 2008, [[Virgin Healthcare]] announced that it would open a chain of health care clinics that would offer conventional medical care alongside homeopathic and complementary therapies, a development that was welcomed by [[Ben Bradshaw]], the UK's health minister.<ref>{{cite web |last1= Barker |first1= Alex |last2= Timmins |first2= Nick |date= 10 January 2008 |title= Branson launches healthcare business |url= http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7f5d8f32-bfa0-11dc-8052-0000779fd2ac.html |work= [[Financial Times]] |access-date= 7 April 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120718190945/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7f5d8f32-bfa0-11dc-8052-0000779fd2ac.html |archive-date= 18 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Plans where GPs could be paid for referring [[National Health Service]] (NHS) patients to private Virgin services were abandoned in June 2008. The BMA warned the plan would "damage clinical objectivity", there would be a financial incentive for GPs to push patients toward the Virgin services at the centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.healthcarerepublic.com/news/829970 |title=Virgin amends its profit plans |publisher=/ Healthcare Republic |date=11 July 2008 |access-date=14 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116210526/http://www.healthcarerepublic.com/news/829970 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Plans to take over an NHS Practice in [[Swindon]] were abandoned in late September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nursinginpractice.com/default.asp?title=VirgindropsGPpracticeplans&page=article.display&article.id=13581 |title=Virgin drops GP practice plans |publisher=Nursing in Practice |date=22 September 2008 |access-date=14 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615035946/http://www.nursinginpractice.com/default.asp?title=VirgindropsGPpracticeplans&page=article.display&article.id=13581 |archive-date=15 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:RichardBransonBoardVAOCApr09.jpg|thumb|left|Branson in April 2009 at the launch of Virgin America in [[Orange County, California]]]]
In February 2009, Branson's Virgin organization was reported as bidding to buy the former [[Honda in Formula One|Honda Formula One]] team. Branson later stated an interest in [[Formula One]], but claimed that, before the Virgin brand became involved with Honda or any other team, Formula One would have to develop a more economically efficient and environmentally responsible image. At the start of the [[2009 Formula One season]] on 28 March, it was announced that Virgin would be sponsoring the new [[Brawn GP]] team,<ref>[http://www.crash.net/f1/News/144459/1/bransons_virgin_group_to_sponsor_brawn_gp.html Branson's Virgin Group to sponsor Brawn GP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712044915/http://www.crash.net/f1/News/144459/1/bransons_virgin_group_to_sponsor_brawn_gp.html |date=12 July 2013 }}, www.crash.net</ref> with discussions also under way about introducing a less "dirty" fuel in the medium term.<ref>[http://bleacherreport.com/articles/146360-virgin-become-brawn-gps-title-sponsor Virgin Become Brawn Gp's Title Sponsor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627141900/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/146360-virgin-become-brawn-gps-title-sponsor |date=27 June 2012 }}, Bleacher Report</ref> After the end of the season and the subsequent purchase of Brawn GP by [[Mercedes-Benz]], Branson invested in an 80% buyout of Manor Grand Prix,<ref name="F1News">{{cite web |url=http://formula-1.updatesport.com/news/article/1244801351/formula_one/F1headlines/FIA-release-2010-entry-list/view.html |title=UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > FIA release 2010 entry list |publisher=Formula-1.updatesport.com |date=12 June 2009 |access-date=1 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728053711/http://formula-1.updatesport.com/news/article/1244801351/formula_one/F1headlines/FIA-release-2010-entry-list/view.html |archive-date=28 July 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76653 |title=Virgin set for Manor GP move |work=Autosport |access-date=14 September 2010 |date=3 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513202037/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76653 |archive-date=13 May 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> with the team being renamed [[Virgin Racing]].

In 2010, [[Virgin Hotels]] was launched under the Virgin Group. In February 2018, Branson announced the first Virgin hotel in the UK would open in Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/richard-branson-chooses-edinburgh-for-first-uk-virgin-hotel-1-4679167|title=Richard Branson chooses Edinburgh for first UK Virgin hotel|date=February 2018 |access-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620101302/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/richard-branson-chooses-edinburgh-for-first-uk-virgin-hotel-1-4679167|archive-date=20 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Branson and [[Tony Fernandes]], owner of [[Air Asia]] and [[Lotus F1 Racing]], had a bet for the [[2010 F1 season]] where the losing team's boss should work on the winner's airline during a charity flight dressed as a stewardess. Fernandes escaped as the bet winner, as Lotus Racing ended tenth in the championship, while Virgin Racing ended twelfth and last. Branson kept his word after losing the bet, as he served his duty as a stewardess on an [[Air Asia]] flight between [[Perth Airport|Perth]] and [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur]] on 12 May 2013.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22499827 Virgin's Sir Richard Branson turns stewardess after losing bet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420045502/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22499827 |date=20 April 2017 }}, ''BBC News''</ref>
[[File:5.3.10RichardBransonByDavidShankbone.jpg|thumb|upright|Branson at the [[Time (magazine)|Time 100 Gala]] in May 2010. Known for his informal dress code,<ref>[[Ghil'ad Zuckermann|Zuckermann, Ghil'ad]] (2003), [[Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew]]. [[Palgrave Macmillan]]. {{ISBN|978-1403917232|978-1403938695}} [http://www.palgrave.com/br/book/9781403917232] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412005718/https://www.palgrave.com/br/book/9781403917232|date=12 April 2019}}: "Richard Branson prefers jumpers to suits". p. 110</ref> this was a rare occasion he didn't wear an open shirt.]]
In 2010, Branson became patron of the UK's [[Gordon Bennett Cup in ballooning|Gordon Bennett]] 2010 gas balloon race, which has 16 hydrogen balloons flying across Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gordonbennett2010.com |title=Welcome!, 54th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2010 Official Site |publisher=Gordonbennett2010.com |access-date=14 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002183128/http://www.gordonbennett2010.com |archive-date=2 October 2010}}</ref>

In April 2012, Virgin Care commenced a five-year contract for provision of a range of health services which had previously been under the aegis of NHS Surrey, the local primary care trust.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9176733/NHS-patients-to-be-treated-by-Virgin-Care-in-500m-deal.html|title=NHS patients to be treated by Virgin Care in £500m deal|date=30 March 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403025122/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9176733/NHS-patients-to-be-treated-by-Virgin-Care-in-500m-deal.html|archive-date=3 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> By March 2015, Virgin Care was in charge of more than 230 services nationwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhs.uk/Services/Trusts/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=89552|title=Overview – Virgin Care Ltd – NHS Choices|access-date=2 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402133545/http://www.nhs.uk/Services/Trusts/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=89552|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2012, Branson announced plans to build an [[orbital space launch]] [[Air launch to orbit|system]], designated [[LauncherOne]].<ref name=bbc20120711>
{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |title=Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic to launch small satellites |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18801180 |access-date=13 July 2012 |work=BBC News|date=11 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713034917/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18801180 |archive-date=13 July 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Four [[private spaceflight|commercial]] customers have already contracted for launches and two companies are developing standardised [[satellite bus]]es optimised to the design of LauncherOne, in expectation of business opportunities created by the new ''smallsat'' launcher.<ref name=nsj20120711>
{{cite news |title=Virgin Galactic relaunches its smallsat launch business |url=http://www.newspacejournal.com/2012/07/11/virgin-galactic-relaunches-its-smallsat-launch-business/ |access-date=11 July 2012 |newspaper=NewSpace Journal |date=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715235055/http://www.newspacejournal.com/2012/07/11/virgin-galactic-relaunches-its-smallsat-launch-business/ |archive-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=live}}
</ref>

In August 2012, when re-tendered the [[InterCity West Coast]] franchise was awarded to [[FirstGroup]] after a competitive tender process overseen by the [[Department for Transport]]. Branson had expressed his concerns about the tender process and questioned the validity of the business plan submitted by FirstGroup. When Virgin Rail lost the contract, Branson said he was convinced the civil servants had "got their maths wrong". In October, after an investigation into the bidding process, the deal was scrapped. The [[Transport Secretary]] [[Patrick McLoughlin]] announced there were "significant technical flaws" in the process and mistakes had been made by transport staff. Virgin Rail continued to operate the West Coast line until 7 December 2019, when it was replaced by [[Avanti West Coast]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19809717|title=West Coast Main Line deal scrapped after contract flaws discovered|work=BBC News|date=3 October 2012|access-date=2 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319064711/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19809717|archive-date=19 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2014, Branson announced his investment in drone company [[3D Robotics]] stating, "It's amazing to see what a little flying object with a [[GoPro]] attached can do. Before they came along the alternative was an expensive helicopter and crew. I'm really excited about the potential 3D Robotics sees in drones. They can do a lot of good in the world, and I hope this affordable technology will give many more people the chance to see our beautiful planet from such a powerful perspective."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/richard-branson-invests-in-3d-robotics-2014-9|title=Richard Branson Explains Why He Just Invested in Drones|access-date=15 September 2014|work=Business Insider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919012437/http://www.businessinsider.com/richard-branson-invests-in-3d-robotics-2014-9|archive-date=19 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, Branson launched the "Foodpreneur" food and drink-focused start-up competition. Winners were provided with mentorship from Branson, legal support, and brand counseling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://startups.co.uk/winners-of-richard-bransons-foodpreneur-competition-announced/|title=Winners of Richard Branson's "Foodpreneur" competition announced|date=22 September 2014|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075246/https://startups.co.uk/winners-of-richard-bransons-foodpreneur-competition-announced/|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2014 winners included Proper Beans, Killer Tomato, Sweetpea Pantry and Sweet Virtues. In 2015, the competition expanded to the Virgin StartUp's Foodpreneur Festival. The 2015 winners were given the opportunity to pitch [[Target Corporation]] buyers. The 2015 winners included Pip & Nut, Double Dutch Drinks, Harry Bromptons, Cauli Rice and Mallow and Marsh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/richard-branson-announces-2015-foodpreneur-festival-winners|title=Virgin StartUp's Foodpreneur Festival whet the appetite of hundreds of food and drink entrepreneurs across the UK last Friday as the Festival brought them together for a series of insightful workshops and seminars from the industry's best and brightest|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075459/https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/richard-branson-announces-2015-foodpreneur-festival-winners|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2015, [[Virgin Trains East Coast]] commenced operating the InterCity East Coast franchise; the company was a joint venture between Stagecoach (90%) and Virgin Group (10%).<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-seats-more-services-and-new-trains-for-east-coast-passengers "More seats, more services and new trains for East Coast passengers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205053949/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-seats-more-services-and-new-trains-for-east-coast-passengers |date=5 December 2014 }} Department for Transport, 27 November 2014.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30222458 Stagecoach and Virgin win East Coast mainline rail franchise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128143803/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30222458 |date=28 November 2014 }} ''BBC News'' 27 November 2014</ref> Due to the line performing below VTEC's expectations, it was announced in May 2018 that the contract would be terminated early by the government. VTEC ceased operating on 23 June 2018 and operations passed to a government-owned operator, [[London North Eastern Railway]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44142258?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c9edzkwe7xrt/stagecoach&link_location=live-reporting-story|title=East Coast train line to be put into public control|date=12 February 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=16 May 2018|archive-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114150417/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44142258?intlink_from_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Ftopics%2Fc9edzkwe7xrt%2Fstagecoach&link_location=live-reporting-story|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2015, Branson announced the addition of Moskito Island to the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio. This resort, The Branson Estate on Moskito Island, offers 11 bedrooms for 22 guests.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McLennan|first1=Leah|title=Inside Richard Branson's new $66,000 a night luxury island hideaway|url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-ideas/best-of-travel/inside-richard-bransons-new-66000-a-night-luxury-island-hideaway/news-story/c2a9a1efd6633c2e63ea221de972e0c4|website=News.com.au|date=16 November 2015|access-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117213406/http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-ideas/best-of-travel/inside-richard-bransons-new-66000-a-night-luxury-island-hideaway/news-story/c2a9a1efd6633c2e63ea221de972e0c4|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:MMRichardBranson.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Branson and [[Argentina]]'s President [[Mauricio Macri]], 22 January 2016]]
In 2017, Virgin Group invested in [[Hyperloop One]], developing a strategic partnership between the two. Branson joined the board of directors,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2017/10/12/hyperloop-one-virgin-group-richard-branson/|title=Hyperloop One Is Now 'Virgin Hyperloop One' Thanks to Richard Branson's Investment|work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|date=12 October 2017|access-date=31 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013012601/http://fortune.com/2017/10/12/hyperloop-one-virgin-group-richard-branson/|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and in December 2017, became its chairman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hyperloop-one.com/blog/new-chairman-new-funding-new-speed-records|title=New Chairman, New Funding, & New Speed Records|website=Hyperloop One|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051021/https://hyperloop-one.com/blog/new-chairman-new-funding-new-speed-records|archive-date=22 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The announced winner of the 2017 Virgin StartUp's Foodpreneur prize was [[The Snaffling Pig Co]]., which won a six-week rental space at Intu Lakeside, the retail center with the highest foot traffic in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/virgin-startup-reveals-virgin-foodpreneur-2017-winner|title=Virgin StartUp and Intu have named The Snaffling Pig Co as the winners of Virgin Foodpreneur 2017.|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075051/https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/virgin-startup-reveals-virgin-foodpreneur-2017-winner|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2017, Branson appeared on the Season 9 Premiere of ''[[Shark Tank]]'' as a guest investor,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/being-shark-day|title=Being a shark on shark day|access-date=6 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506173829/https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/being-shark-day|archive-date=6 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> where he invested in Locker Board,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://heavy.com/news/2017/10/locker-board-skateboards-shark-tank-products-episodes-new-season-premiere-9/|title=Locker Board on 'Shark Tank': A Look Inside the Skateboard that Fits in a Locker|date=October 2017|access-date=6 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506173830/https://heavy.com/news/2017/10/locker-board-skateboards-shark-tank-products-episodes-new-season-premiere-9/|archive-date=6 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> a sustainable line of [[skateboard]]s invented by 11-year-old, Carson Kropfl.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/302158|title=How an Actual Elevator Pitch Led This 12-Year-Old Entrepreneur to Appear on Shark Tank and Partner With Richard Branson|date=4 October 2017 |access-date=6 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506173440/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/302158|archive-date=6 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Branson told the young business man that he reminded him of himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/portable-skateboard-for-your-locker-on-shark-tank-locker_us_59d4df98e4b08c2a000ddd39|title=Portable Skateboard for Your Locker on Shark Tank – Locker Board|first=Jeremy|last=Alexander|website=[[HuffPost]] |date=4 October 2017|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref> Branson became the richest Shark to have appeared on the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tellmenothing.com/2017/03/27/shark-tank-net-worth-all-sharks/|title=Shark Tank: Net Worth of All Sharks on the Show Till Date|website=Tell Me Nothing|date=27 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812081333/http://tellmenothing.com/2017/03/27/shark-tank-net-worth-all-sharks/|archive-date=12 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2018, Branson announced the acquisition of the [[Las Vegas]] based [[Hard Rock Cafe|Hard Rock Casino-Hotel]] with plans to re-brand the property under his [[Virgin Hotels]] business.<ref>{{cite news|title=Business Mogul Richard Branson Buys Las Vegas Casino-Hotel|url=https://www.casinoreviews.co.uk/news/casino/business-mogul-richard-branson-buys-las-vegas-casino-hotel.html|website=Online-Casinos.com|first=Scott|last=Lawson|date=12 April 2018|access-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001220536/https://www.casinoreviews.co.uk/news/casino/business-mogul-richard-branson-buys-las-vegas-casino-hotel.html|archive-date=1 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Virgin Hotels Las Vegas]] opened on 25 March 2021.

In May 2018, it was announced that he would become a partner in a private equity fund that will be co-managed by Metric Capital. The fund will seek out consumer goods firms to invest in.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-43989709|title=Richard Branson to launch investment fund|date=3 May 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=4 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503224334/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-43989709|archive-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/richard-branson-makes-his-first-move-into-private-equity-1.3482899|title=Richard Branson makes his first move into private equity|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=4 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503173534/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/richard-branson-makes-his-first-move-into-private-equity-1.3482899|archive-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2018, Branson took part in his fourth Virgin Strive Challenge, where he and a core team travelled more than 2,000&nbsp;km from [[Cagliari]] in [[Sardinia]] to the summit of [[Mont Blanc]] entirely under human and sail power. It was a gruelling month-long challenge where they hiked, biked and kayaked across Europe and had a near-miss on Mont Blanc when a rockfall rained down on them as they crossed the perilous [[Grand Couloir (Mont Blanc)|Gouter Couloir]]. They raised more than £1m for Holly and Sam Branson's charity Big Change, which supports young people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/sir-richard-branson-seconds-from-death-on-charity-mont-blanc-climb-11513576|title=Sir Richard Branson 'seconds from death' on charity Mont Blanc climb|publisher=Sky News|access-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152028/https://news.sky.com/story/sir-richard-branson-seconds-from-death-on-charity-mont-blanc-climb-11513576|archive-date=29 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2019, Branson helped organise an international benefit concert, [[Venezuela Aid Live]], to bring worldwide attention to the [[Crisis in Venezuela|humanitarian crisis]] and raise funds for humanitarian aid. The concert took place on 22 February in [[Cúcuta]], Colombia, on the [[Colombia–Venezuela border|Venezuelan border]].