There are a few reasons for this: he is a master of PR and anyone living through the 1980s will remember his daring escapades involving hot air balloons and power boats emblazoned with Virgin branding.

His businesses often have a newsworthiness of their own, his space tourism start-up Virgin Galactic or his soon-to-happen F1 team Virgin Racing being extremely good examples.

The sheer number and scope of his businesses keep him in the public eye too. The Virgin brand currently stocks more than 200 businesses and employees around 25,000 across the planet.

The other reason is that he’s very good at spotting opportunities and capitalising on them. From mid-80s transatlantic air travel to the mail order music business where it all began, Branson has demonstrated a mystical ability to spot a growth market.

If you’re still wondering what the fuss is about, take a look at this brief but illuminating précis of Branson’s professional career.

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