As an entrepreneur, you've got to protect against the company going bust. And as an adventurer, you've got to protect against losing your life. It's even more important as an adventurer to get it right.

We'll not be sending anyone into space before it is safe and the vehicle is well and truly tested.

Good people have always been at the heart of the Virgin business, and that's largely because we have tried to keep our business small, and our management teams tight-knit. I feel that small, compact companies, are better run. That is partly because people feel more connected in small companies.

After all - life is not a dress rehearsal!

The companies that look after their people are the companies that do really well. I'm sure we'd like a few other attributes, but that would be the most important one.

Your employees are your company’s real competitive advantage. They’re the ones making the magic happen-so long as their needs are being met.

I make up my mind about whether I can trust someone within 60 seconds of meeting them