There have been times when I could have succumbed to some form of bribe, or could have had my way by offering one. But ever since that night in Dover prison I have never been tempted to break my vow.. My Parents always drummed into me that all you have life is your reputation: you may be very rich, but if you lose your good name you'll never be happy.

What we are trying to do at Virgin is not to have one enormous company in one sector under one banner, but to have two hundred or even three hundred separate companies. Each company can stand on its own feet and, in that way, although we've got a brand that links them, if we were to have another tragedy such as that of 11 September - which hurt the airline industry - it would not bring the whole group crashing down.

I believe a good leader brings out the best in people by listening to them, trusting in them, believing in them, respecting them and letting them have a go.

To launch a business means successfully solving problems. Solving problems means listening.

When people are placed in positions slightly above what they expect, they are apt to excel.

We always enter markets where the leaders are not doing a great job, so we can go in and disrupt them by offering better quality services.

Over the years I have found one of my best strengths is my ability to recognise talent and trust them.