Simon Draper is the name of Richard's South African cousin who he hires to be the record buyer at the standard staff rate. Simon's skill and taste buying records ensure Virgin's success. Richard later offers Simon twenty percent of Virgin Music when they sign Mike Oldfield. Simon and Ken run the record company. Nik and Simon disagree over the costs of hiring Phil Collins and Richard agrees with Simon. After starting Virgin Atlantic Airways, Richard thinks Simon's heart is no longer in the business of Virgin Music. Virgin Atlantic struggles with British Airways' unfair methods of competition for Virgin customers. Virgin Music is successful enough to guarantee Virgin Atlantic's loans at Lloyds Bank, but Simon has no equity interest in Virgin Atlantic. Richard is the only one interested in both. Simon is concerned that Virgin Atlantic's need for money may bury Virgin Music in a price war. Consequently, when Richard gets a billion dollar offer to sell Virgin Music, Simon immediately says to take the cash.
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