Virgin Group Ltd. is a British Multinational corporation venture capital Conglomerate founded by entrepreneurs Sir Richard Branson and Nik Powell.
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 to the 1970s. The net worth of Virgin Group was estimated at £5-5.5 billion as of November 2014.
The brand name "Virgin" arose when Richard Branson and Nik Powell formed a record shop. They considered themselves virgins in business. Branson has described the "V" in the logo as an expressive tick, representing the Virgin seal of approval.
Virgin Group has its headquarters at The Battleship Building in the Paddington district of the City of Westminster. Previously it was in The School House in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
The Virgin Group of companies have a complex structure that contains elements of a generic conglomerate, a Keiretsu and sometimes simply licences its brand. Examples of licensing are Virgin Records (now owned by Universal Music Group) and Virgin Media (now owned by Liberty Global).
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 centers. The Group also owns 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.
Absolute Radio — formerly Virgin Radio UK, rebranded in 2008Air Nigeria — Nigerian national airline launched as Virgin Nigeria, shares sold in 2010Liquid Comics — comic book producer formerly known as Virgin Comics - sold to management in 2008Vie at Home — cosmetics retailer formerly known as Virgin Vie, sold to management in 2009Virgin America - North American airline, sold to Alaska Air Group on 14, Dec 2016Virgin Brides — retailer specialising in bridal wearVirgin Cars — online car retailer, ceased trading in 2005Virgin Charter — online marketplace of private aircraft seat bookingsVirgin Cinemas — sold to UGC in 1999Virgin Digital Help — technical supportVirgin Drinks — drink manufacturerVirgin Cola — carbonated cola soft drinkVirgin Vodka — alcoholic beveragev-Mix — spirit mixersVirgin Electronics — electronics retailerVirgin Energy — joint venture energy provider, sold to EDF EnergyVirgin Express — airline based in Brussels, merged with SN Brussels Airlines in 2006 to form Brussels AirlinesV Festival — an Australian version of the V FestivalVirgin Festival — a North American version of the V FestivalVirgin Films — film production companyVirgin Games — sold to Gamesys in 2013Virgin Green Fund - shut down in 2014Virgin Interactive — closed in 2003Virgin Limousines — a former limousine service that operated mostly in the USA 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 GlobalVirgin Mobile Australia — mobile phone service provider in Australia - shares sold to Optus in 2006Virgin Mobile Canada — mobile phone service provider in Canada - shares sold to Bell Mobility in 2009Virgin Mobile France — mobile phone service provider in France - shares sold to Numericable-SFR in 2014Virgin Mobile India — mobile phone service provider in India - shares sold to Tata Teleservices in 2015Virgin Mobile USA — mobile phone service provider in the USA - shares sold to Sprint Corporation in 2009Virgin Money Australia — sold to Bank of QueenslandVirgin Money US — sold in 2010Virgin One account — shareholding sold to co-owner (RBS) in 2003Virgin Sun Airlines — scheduled and charter airline, closed in 2001Virgin Trains ExpressCoach — former operator of inter-city bus & coach servicesVirgin CrossCountry — former operator of the Cross Country railway franchise in the United Kingdom, services transferred to Arriva in 2007 (51%)Virgin EMI Records - Soundtrack label - owned by Universal Music GroupVirgin Records — American music soundtrack labelVirgin Racing — Formula One motor racing teamVirginware — clothing retailerVirgin Wines — online wine market, sold to Direct Wines in 2005
