Travel industry veteran, Sir Richard Branson, has made the top ten of the Sunday Times Rich List 2005. The publication of this year’s annual Sunday Times Rich List catalogues the financial success enjoyed by the super rich living in Britain over the last 12 months.Richard came in at number 7 on the Rich List, with a reported £3 billion - held in overseas trusts. Richards name also appeared in the year’s biggest risers - having increased his fortune by £400 million in 2004 due to revaluation. Richard’s transport and mobile phones business, which started in 1969, hit number 8 for the 20 fastest growing fortunes. The business has a reported annual growth rate of £74.9m.

According to the Rich List 2005, this year has seen a wealth explosion, with several records being broken. The list documented more billionaires than ever, the richest person ever, the richest Asian ever, the first billionaire in Scotland and the highest wealth total recorded with the richest 1, 000 reported to be worth £250 billion.

Richard Branson’s empire spans trains, planes, mobile phones, the internet, holidays and more. Virgin companies are reported to make a combined £184m profit

The top 3 names on the list were Kakshmi Mittal, Roman Ambramovich and The Duke of Westminster.
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