Virgin boss says he lives on Necker because of 'love of the beautiful British Virgin Islands'
Sir Richard Branson has insisted he did not leave Britain for tax reasons, saying he was living on his holiday island of Necker in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) because he loves the place.
Branson was writing in his blog after the Sunday Times said his decision to leave Britain was a turnaround for the charismatic entrepreneur who has draped himself in the union flag to promote his business.
The Virgin boss's spokesman said he had been there for seven years and said it made no difference for tax purposes whether he was in the UK or the BVI.
In his blog. Branson said: "We are fortunate enough to live on Necker, the most beautiful place in the world, because it is our home where we can live life to the full. I have not left Britain for tax reasons, but for my love of the beautiful British Virgin Islands and in particular Necker Island, which I bought when I was 29 years old, 34 years ago, as an uninhabited island on the edges of the BVI. Over that time, we have built our home there, a place where my family and I are able to truly relax.
"Seven years ago we decided to move permanently to Necker as we feel it gives me and my wife Joan the best chance to live another productive few decades. We can also look after our health (Joan is approaching 70 and I'm not far behind).
"I still work day and night, now focusing on not-for-profit ventures, but on Necker I can also look after my health. There is no better place to stay active and I can kitesurf, surf, play tennis, swim, do Pilates and just play.
"Over three decades Necker and nearby Moskito Island have become the places where my family gathers together, where my friends come to visit and where my father chose to have his ashes scattered last year. In 2011, the main house on Necker burnt down. We're incredibly thankful for the overwhelming support we received from thousands of people both in person and online as we spent the past two years rebuilding our home, work which is now completed.
"I spent 40 years working day and night in Great Britain building companies and creating competition and choice for consumers across a whole range of industries. The companies we created from scratch have created tens of thousands of jobs and paid hundreds of millions in tax. For the last decade we have focused on expanding the Virgin brand globally, setting up new businesses in North and South America, Australia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East and I am equally proud of our success in taking the brand into more than 50 countries around the world.
"Now in my 60s I'm proud of what we've achieved and contributed and now spend the vast majority of my time building not-for-profit ventures, raising awareness around important issues and earning money for charity. I have been very fortunate to accumulate so much wealth in my career, more than I need in my lifetime and would not live somewhere I don't want to for tax reasons.
"In addition to the work I do from Necker, I also travel the world sharing what I've learned by doing speeches and trying to help the next generation of entrepreneurs. Hundred per cent of any monies I earn from these engagements I give to charity. This amounts to many millions per year, and will continue to do so."