The only way I can think to capture the feeling of what it’s like to arrive at Necka Island is that opening scene from Jurassic Park. Where the Helicopter takes them to a remote tropical island and then descends down a waterfall into a natural paradise.
Having been picked up from Tortola Island our speedboat catapulted us through the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to arrive at the island where we were greeted by the funky staff. We were soon whisked through the jungle aboard an open backed Land Rover with electric anticipation written on every face. We were made to feel part intrepid explorer and part google eyed child as we encountered the sheer natural beauty of the place.
Passing giant tortoises and a flock of the brightest pink flamingos playing in the lake at the centre of the island, we headed to the highest point with amazing views over the British Virgin Islands and then hiked up a flight of steps to be greeted by a sun-tanned, sweatshirt and board short clad, grinning Sir Richard. The entrepreneurial scientist who couldn’t wait to show us his home and the now quirky headquarters of the Virgin empire.
First up the steps, I was a little shocked when I heard ‘Welcome to Necka. I’m Richard, you must be Creel.’ If you want to make someone feel a million dollars it was a good way to start. The next three and a half days were similarly splattered with other golden memory moments that are too many to mention. From Richard showing me how he feeds his wild Lemon Sharks to playing Water Olympics that entailed tag team sculling champagne between events to awesome culinary experiences with Haitian singers under the moonlight – it was all amazing from one minute to the next.
Our brainstorming sessions on the future of philanthropy and social entrepreneurship were stimulating with table top discussions from people like Ian who ran the African Development Bank and lead the World Bank to Alex who looks after the $80 billion in the Bill Gates Foundation. The camaraderie that formed between the 28 of us was like reliving my first week at college. People were from every demographic and part of the world and brought a diverse mix of entrepreneurial and socialpreneurial experience – yet there was no ego playing out on who was the most qualified or was making the biggest impact.
The aim of the Virgin Unite and Foundation Source team was to start to question the premise of philanthropy in order to start a movement of ideas and individuals committed to making the world a better place. With win-win collaboration at its core. This room full of kindred spirits made me realise how I’ve been working in a void trying to scratch the surface of a similar vision by myself on the other side of the world.
Who knows what the wrap up will be – all I do know is that if we can replicate that vibe and optimism in other forums the world will be much the better for it.
