Sir Richard Branson, founder of the well-known Virgin brands, recently took time out of his busy schedule to share his opinions with Mauritian business people. Entrepreneurs, CEOs and directors, as well as members, partners and sponsors of Management Express, gathered at the Labourdonnais Hotel on Tuesday 20 May to meet the flamboyant billionaire Englishman.

Known for his daring personality and appetite for discovering new businesses, Branson has put his name in the Guinness World Book of Records for Atlantic crossings in a yacht and a hot air balloon, among other voyages.

His life story is one of rags to riches. Branson began his career at the age of 17 by starting a student magazine, and not long after that he started selling records out of the boot of his car. The record store that followed was the first of many Virgin brands in a range of industries: travel, tourism, leisure, retail, media, telecommunications, finance, health, and the environment.

In an interview with solarnavigator.net, Branson said that the name Virgin was suggested by a friend who was joking about the group of people who established the record shop.

Simon Ingram-Hill, Mauritius country director for the British Council, said the main objective of this Management Express forum was to enable local professionals to benefit from the expertise and experience of world-renowned professionals, business leaders and management gurus through interactive workshop.

Ingram-Hill also expressed his gratitude to Branson for sparing the time to answer the many questions posed by the audience.

He said the audience was impressed by Branson’s simplicity, honesty and open attitude as he answered their questions, shared his experiences and advised them on investment opportunities.

Branson said Mauritius needed to invest in and protect its very fragile environment, through the use of renewable and eco-friendly energy resources such as the sun, wind and sugar by-products.

The session ended in a casual chat, with people taking pictures and Branson signing autographs in copies of his biography, Losing my Virginity. The book was sold at the door and the proceeds were donated to Virgin Unite, an entrepreneurial foundation.

To learn more about Management Express, past speakers and issues discussed, visit the Management Express page. To find out about other events happening in our offices in Mauritius, or in other British Council offices in Africa, visit out events calendar. We also offer several professional development services to entrepreneurs and businesspeople in Africa. Learn more here.