"I once did an IQ test in which the questions just seemed absurd. I couldn't focus on any of the, mathematical problems, and I think that I scored about zero. I worry about all the people who have been classified as stupid by these kinds of tests. Little do they know that often these IQ tests have been dreamt up by academics who are absolutely useless at dealing with the practicalities of the outside world."

"When I left Stowe in 1967 aged almost 17, my headmaster's parting words to me were: 'Congratulations, Branson. I predict that you will either go to prison or become a millionaire.' "

"I have always thrived on havoc and adrenaline."

"In the same way that I tend to make up my mind about people within 30 seconds of meeting them, I also make up my mind about whether a business proposal excites me within about 30 seconds of looking at it. I rely far more on gut instinct than researching huge amounts of statistics."

"Branson has cultivated an independent, almost 'anti-Establishment' image. He has great appeal to young people and also to the Japanese (where there is something akin to 'hero worship')." -- British Airways report on Branson

"Japanese loss of confidence for any reason could and probably would cut off his cash lifeline and could lead to disaster." -- BA report on Branson

"On 11 December 1992 we agreed the terms of the highest uncontested libel payment ever made in British legal history: 500,000 pounds to me personally to compensate for the personal libel, and 110,000 pounds to Virgin Atlantic to compensate for the corporate libel." -- Branson on the suit against BA that he won

" 'Why can't trains be like this in the U.K?' I wondered." -- Branson on the shinkansen

"I'll be in my grave before that f**ker gets his logo on my trains." -- John Welsby, chief executive of British Rail