Sir Richard Branson

How He Empowers Others

Sir Richard Branson is the founder and president of Virgin Group. Virgin is one of the world's most recognized and respected brands that has expanded into aviation, hospitality and leisure, telecommunications, financial services, health and wellness, and clean energy through more than 200 companies worldwide, employing approximately 50,000 people in 29 countries. Companies like Virgin Atlantic, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, and the newest airlines, Virgin America and VAustralia, are shaking up the travel industry while Virgin HealthMiles, Virgin Money, Virgin Mobile and other Virgin-branded companies continue to offer exceptional customer service and value for money.

In December 1999, Richard was awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Millennium New Year’s honours list for “services to entrepreneurship.”

In the summer of 2004, Richard launched Virgin Unite as a vehicle to pull together all the resources of the Virgin Group internationally and, most importantly, Virgin’s best asset – its people – to tackle some of the tougher challenges facing the world today. He and on-the-ground partners participate in a number of efforts, including the creation of sustainable health clinics in Africa and the fostering of new entrepreneurs through the Branson School of Entrepreneurship in South Africa. In 2006, Richard pledged 100% of profits of Virgin transportation companies to clean tech investments and is actively involved in global environmental initiatives. In 2007, Richard joined Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel, and Desmond Tutu to form The Elders, a group of independent leaders that will seek sustainable solutions to global humanitarian issues.

Richard is the author of Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way, (Crown Business, 1998) Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life (Virgin Books, 2006), and Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur (Virgin Books, 2008).

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We need your help to be known in USA

I co-founded EVE-OLUTION FOUNDATION Inc. (our motto = "The Global Soft Power of Change") an independent, global, not for profit organization (founded in 2002).
This Global NGO, participant to the UN Global Compact, is building a tribe of high potential and successful Women entrepreneurs around the world, who, together, as influencers, can make a better world for our children. Therefore, EVE-olution is coaching women entrepreneurs in developing and emerging countries, (80% of our planet) Women because they are the cement of society in these countries, so that they can grow their businesses, hire locally (reversing the rural exodus), become local influencers and role models, and act for less pollution and terrorism, and more well-being, each in her own country.
Their coaches are retired executives (a groing not-used population), corporate volunteers and young BA students (who need global experiences) from around the world, their main objective is to upgrade the profitability of women entrepreneurs they have in charge. They are helping them to be adapted to new strategies, like organic products, fair trade, new trends, .. (business coaching versus grant or loan).
The foundation aims at finance its actions only with corporations and individuals, no governmental funds, run without the expensive logistic of employee and permanent office, use its budget to cover the expense accounts of volunteers.
if you can/want help contact me at gerard.stein@eve-olution.org

Posted by Gerard E. STEIN, 24 October 2009.

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