At least 20 companies didn't turn a profit last year, including airline Virgin Express, Virgin Direct and V2, its record label.

FORBES: Red Baron

He envisions homes stocked with Virgin products, supplied by Virgin Home Services (gas and electricity) whose owners use Virgin Direct to organize their finances.

FORBES: Red Baron

It would help, says Rowan Gormley of Virgin Direct (a joint venture between Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Australian Mutual Provident, Australia's biggest insurer), if regulation promoted clarity.

ECONOMIST: Tax and saving