Recuperator I should have been more precise. My reason for saying that Branson
prefers to start new companies comes from his purchase of the failing Belgian company (cannot recall name) that he bought and made Virgin Express.
Whilst they are now doing OK and one of the first low cost companies based in mainland Europe (NOT UK or Eire) he said that the problem of turning around entrenched views and approach to work took more time and effort than a start up.
I heard him say this in a TV interview. Of course, some companies he takes over but he stated that it was not his preferred approach.
AFAIK, apart from Virgin Express, all his other airline companies have been start-ups.