Holly Branson
Virgin
United Kingdom
Contact Holly
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Past articles by Holly:
How reverse mentoring drives inclusion
Patrice Gordon is someone I really look up to. She is an incredible champion of diversity and inclusion at work, as well as an author and an executive coach. Patrice worked with us at Virgin Atlantic and spearheaded some brilliant projects including the airline’s first graduate apprentice scheme, the Springboard programme for women’s development, and an industry-leading reverse mentoring… → Read More
How to overcome imposter syndrome as a founder, or in any stage of your career: Tiwani Heritage
Holly Branson discusses imposter syndrome and sustainable innovation with the founders of Tiwani Heritage → Read More
My wellbeing predictions for 2023
What wellbeing trends do you predict for 2023, and beyond? Virgin Pulse has written an insightful e-book on the topic, and I was thrilled to contribute my personal predictions to it. As Chief Purpose and Vision Officer at Virgin, my prediction for 2023 is focusing on purpose, and I hope this will continue for many years to come. Helping people find their personal purpose (at work and outside of… → Read More
Five ways to build a thriving team
I always love joining Virgin Unite events. They always leave me filled with hope for the future. So, it was such a pleasure to join nearly 100 business leaders at the latest 100% Human At Work gathering to discuss the new world of work and how we can put people at the heart of it. At Virgin we have always been passionate about putting our people first and understand that the success of your… → Read More
How to empower your employees
Helping people to flourish at work is one of the most important things a business can do. It’s one of my biggest motivations as Chief Purpose and Vision Officer at Virgin, and I’ve seen first-hand how everyone (including your business) benefits when you bring out the best in one another. This understanding came naturally to us at Virgin – it’s just the way dad did business. He saw no distinction… → Read More
Virgin Money levels up its approach to purpose
Over the years I have been incredibly proud of the team at Virgin Money and how they have embraced and embedded their purpose (making people happier about money) in every single decision they make. They work tirelessly to leave a positive impact on all their stakeholders: their people, their customers, their communities, and the planet. They never rest when it comes to ensuring their purpose is… → Read More
Why diversity makes us stronger
March celebrates both International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, meaning that gender equality has been at the top of many agendas in the last few weeks. At Virgin we have always believed that the best way to challenge the unacceptable is to have brave, open and transparent dialogue at every level of the business. We don't shy away from difficult conversations and we’ve found that our… → Read More
Introducing Generation Alpha
I first became fascinated with the different generations when researching my first book, WEconomy. To my surprise and delight, I discovered that I wasn’t a Millennial but a Xennial! In simple terms, that’s a child born in the late 70s through to the early 80s who had an analogue childhood but a digital adulthood. I thought that was pretty cool and I looked up everything I could about my… → Read More
auticon Global Impact Report 2020
Holly Branson shares details of auticon Global Impact Report 2020 - Virgin → Read More
A virtual culture trip around the world
I don’t know about all of you but I’ve never been so thankful for the internet and to all the wonderful institutions, organisations and individuals in the world of the arts, music, cookery and science who are sharing what they do best – for free. During physical distancing, it’s wonderful to see how technology is bringing people together and keeping culture alive. I’ve mapped out a bit of a… → Read More
Simon Sinek on being a visionary in The Infinite Game
It was such a joy to sit down with my good friend, the wonderful Simon Sinek, to talk all about his new book and international bestseller, The Infinite Game, as part of my Meet the Author interview series. In case you haven’t heard of Simon, he’s a TED Talk icon; five-time author; leadership guru and a self-confessed, unshakable optimist. I think Simon is one of the most influential thought… → Read More
Looking ahead to 2020
2019 was such an exciting year and I can’t quite believe it’s over. There were many family highlights but none come close to welcoming our wonderful daughter Lola into the world! Freddie and I watched in awe as the bond between our five-year-old's Etta and Artie blossomed with their new little sister. As twins they often live in their own little bubble, but they welcomed Lola into their world… → Read More
A guide to hiring for the future
100% Human at Work was created by The B Team and Virgin Unite from the belief that businesses should think of people as human beings and not as resources. This belief led to an entire network of organisations and business leaders from all over the world that work together to create a better future of work. It was brilliant to have the team collaborate with Big Change for the recruitment toolkit… → Read More
10 big hopes for change in education
Following the 2019 Forum For World Education that some of the Big Change team attended in Paris and in the run up to the general election in the UK, it seemed like a good time for us to share our 10 big hopes for change in education. Never has it been more important to remember that education is everyone’s business. Use your vote this week to show support for those candidates who believe that… → Read More
10 ways to keep your purpose on point
Nearly a decade ago, Virgin Management decided to ban the term CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) as it was increasingly becoming a buzz word used across the corporate world with no real substance. Instead, we all took a step back, thought hard about why we exist and the fundamental role and meaning the business has in people’s lives. From this process, our underlying purpose to ‘Change… → Read More
Etta and Artie 'graduate' Nursery
It’s hard to sum up the wonderful years at nursery school, but my friend sent me a beautiful poem, that paints a pretty much perfect picture. Full disclaimer, I did cry when I read it! A pre-school good-bye Sticky fingers, runny noses Head, shoulders, knees and toe-es. Shapes and colours, ABC's, Taking turns and 1 2 3's. Toothless smiles, hugs and giggles, Circle Time and lots of wiggles. Wooden… → Read More
Top tips for balancing work and wellness
A few of the healthy activities at Virgin Management include a weekly running club and yoga classes, free health assessments, a weekly digital detox, Virgin Pulse memberships and involvement in their challenges, discounted Virgin Active memberships, free healthy lunches each day, a cycle to work scheme, flexible work policies. But there’s always more that can be done. I recently heard the story… → Read More
Making purposeful investments
One of the companies we have invested in is Beryl, creator of the Laserlight, which tackles the issue of cyclist visibility in vehicle blind spots, projecting an image of a cyclist 6m in front of your bike. Dad, Sam and I all love cycling – we’ve done thousands of kilometres between us. I work at Virgin Management’s head office in London and know how dangerous cycling on our capital’s roads can… → Read More
Why you should have your meetings on the move
At Virgin Management, we have planned out some routes near our Battleship Office in Paddington so that you can take in some lovely views around Little Venice while catching up with colleagues. All the routes take 30 minutes and having a planned route means no one has to get distracted checking directions. So glad we got out and stretched our legs – I definitely felt more motivated than if I sat… → Read More
The power of connecting with positive people
Life is made up of many challenges; some physical, some emotional, some social and some professional. Please can you tell us what has turned you into the striver you are today? My upbringing turned me into the striver I am today. I was surrounded by love in my family, but we had our fair share of ups and downs. I look back on it now and it all seems very surreal; one day I think I might write it… → Read More