Will Richard Branson really shake up the UK banking sector?
With rumours rife that Virgin Money, the offshoot of Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is in the market to acquire a "small UK bank" there is a difference of opinion regarding the ability of Richard Branson to actually shake up the UK banking sector. Historically, the Virgin Group under the stewardship of Richard Branson has been very successful in many sectors around the world but ultimately not every move has been a resounding victory. So will Richard Branson really be able to shake up the UK banking sector?
The first issue for Richard Branson is the identity of the potential acquisition, with Northern Rock seen as the most likely acquisition to the group. There is then the fact that the UK banking industry is a very close-knit community and it will not appreciate a new kid on the block looking to shake up profit margins and change the way that the UK banking sector has been run for decades. While it would be wrong to suggest that Virgin Money has not been a success, it has not made the impact which many had expected in the early days although it is still a well respected figure in the sector.
Will Richard Branson dare take on the might of the UK financial sector? Does he actually have the muscle to take on the more established banks of the UK?
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