Branson tops favourite tycoon list

Virgin founder Richard Branson is the most popular business leader in the UK, a survey revealed today.

Research found that Branson – whose empire includes the UK’s fifth largest mobile phone group – was rated number one entrepreneur by 63% of those questioned.

No-one else came close to the businessman, with Body Shop founder Anita Roddick ranked second after gaining 9% of the vote.

The poll, conducted by NOP for Lewis PR, found that 61% admired Branson for his business flair and 53% for his media work.

EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Iaonnou was third, proving popular with 4% of voters, while some 3% of respondents said they admired retail tycoon Philip Green.

The study also found that Post Office chief executive and former FA boss Adam Crozier was admired by just five of the 1,000 people questioned.

Tim Luckett, head of personal PR at Lewes, said the profile of entrepreneurs in the press was extremely important.

He said: “There are a lot of business leaders out there but their profile is relatively low. With respect to Branson, he has been around for years but he knows the importance of the media and makes it work for him.”

Branson said: “While this result is extremely flattering, it emphasises the lack of media exposure of new business visionaries making their mark today.”

NOP questioned a sample of 1,000 people from across the UK last weekend. Lewis PR is based in London and specialises in global media relations.