Virgin Global Row

Virgin, a leading branded venture capital organisation, is one of the world’s most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow very successful businesses in sectors ranging from mobile telephony, to transportation, travel, financial services, leisure, music, holidays, publishing and retailing

Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. We’ve signed on as a technology partner to the Global Row because we admire Olly Hicks’ quest and see it as an ideal illustration of our own aspirations. Thanks to the “cloud,“ even from a boat in the middle of the ocean, Olly will be able to post his own thoughts, images, video and commentary for anyone anywhere in the world to read and respond to, and know that everything he does will all be safely stored online. The cloud will always be there for Olly, just as it is for everybody else who lives, works or plays on the web.

A full service digital agency with considerable experience in websites for sports and events, especially sailing and adventure. Whose focused products include tools for managing your website, event, media distribution, or internal team.

They also operate a print design studio, video authoring, and direct marketing services.

Hope and Homes presently works in 14 European and African countries to provide homes and families for over 7,500 orphans or abandoned children. Their work varies from country to country, from closing orphanages in Romania to supporting AIDS orphans in Africa.

SPB has been creating white-label insurance and assistance solutions for corporate accounts since 1965, and is now a European leader in bank and new technologies products’ insurance.
SPB has long been involved in the world of adventure and exploration, backing explorers’ initiatives. For SPB, this approach draws a parallel between adventurers and its own corporate culture -a culture based on research, reaching new heights, searching for discoveries, the will to progress, perseverance and effort.
Today, SPB has a staff of 600 in France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Switzerland and Tunisia plus sales presence in 8 countries.

A leading London law firm who provide a full service to UK and international corporate and private clients. Have a long history and a modern approach.

Pendragon Productions was founded at the millennium in Bristol by George Olver. Starting in Bristol reading for a Physiology degree, George next decided to follow a passion for film-making.

Andy Degg at Green Hat was influential in the original design and marketing materials produced to support our fundraising campaign.  Green Hat is a fantastic consultancy and offer a range of environmentally friendly print solutions.

Harrow School has kindly supported many of Olly’s expedition including Virgin Global Row.  As Olly was originally inspired about adventure by a talk given at Harrow we would hope that Olly’s voyages inspire the following generations.

Expedition Foods supplied the majority of ration packs on board The Flying Carrot.  Ian Williams was very helpful in assisting us with the selection of foods required to maintain a balance for Olly. 

Fourth Element provided many of the under garments that Olly is using on the voyage.  There are exceptionally warm and perfect for the task at hand.

Atlantic Rigging have supplied us with a range of ropes and rigging requirements. Many thanks for the long hours of work.

Mark Terry and team assisted greatly in the production of the rowing position.  A real challenge in such a novel build vessel. 

Wilderness Medical Training provide Olly with the necessary medical training prior to expedition departure.

PA Freight were responsible for packing The Flying Carrot ensuring it was transported safely.  Many thanks Sean Henson and company.

Ben and team (Andy) have always been extremely supportive of Virgin Global Row.  We wish then ever success with their future ventures.

Art Butler and team where a fantastic support on the electrical front. I recommend them to others.

Mike Illingworth and the great team at Robertson’s have been totally instrumental in the build of The Flying Carrot.  The whole team worked tirelessly to finish the boat on time and with an exception attention to detail.  Robertson’s is the great boatyard to work with. 

More Explorers

Trade Freight international provided great support in the shipping process. 

Charlie Astor and George Whitefield run the best children’s parties in the world.  They are also some of the best supporters of VGR….thanks for spreading the word about virginglobalrow.com to all the children you party with.  Look out for their white Sharky and George cab that is no doubt sporting a VGR sticker!

Rick and Roly are key supporters of Virgin Global Row and have a fantastic London based Marquee business that have provided us with shelter during our launch events.