Simon Woodroffe

Simon Woodroffe OBE is an entrepreneur and motivational speaker who transforms how audiences think about innovation, creativity and business growth. As founder of the globally recognised YO! brand, including YO! Sushi and YOTEL, and an original Dragon on the BBC's Dragons' Den, he has built a reputation for turning bold ideas into successful lifestyle ventures. His journey from rock 'n' roll stage designer to hospitality pioneer demonstrates how entertainment thinking can revolutionise traditional industries. Simon's interactive speaking style energises audiences, helping them unlock their own entrepreneurial potential and approach challenges with fresh creativity and confidence.

After spending nearly three decades designing rock 'n' roll stages for legends like Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder, Simon Woodroffe OBE made a bold leap that would redefine British hospitality. In 1997, he opened the first YO! Sushi restaurant in London, transforming the simple act of dining into a complete entertainment experience with conveyor belts, call buttons, robot drinks trolleys and Japanese television screens. What began as a single sushi bar evolved into a global lifestyle brand encompassing YOTEL, the world's first hotel located inside an airport terminal, and YO! Home, a radical reinvention of urban living. His success earned him recognition as Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year and an OBE for services to the hospitality industry in 2006.

Simon's credibility stems from his unique ability to apply entertainment principles to traditional business sectors. His early career organising television deals for international rock concerts, including the Nelson Mandela concerts and events for Amnesty International and the Prince's Trust, taught him how to captivate audiences and create memorable experiences. This expertise translated seamlessly into hospitality, where he pioneered concepts that challenged industry conventions. As an original Dragon on the BBC's worldwide hit Dragons' Den, he demonstrated his skill in evaluating business potential and mentoring entrepreneurs. YOTEL now operates large-scale properties in New York and Singapore, whilst YO! Home continues to push boundaries in residential design. Through the YO! Foundation and partnerships including a mentoring initiative with The Times, Simon actively supports charitable causes and emerging business talent.

Simon speaks openly and authentically, avoiding business clichés whilst sharing the real story behind his entrepreneurial journey. His interactive approach energises audiences, creating dynamic exchanges that help participants unlock their own creative thinking and entrepreneurial confidence. Whether addressing large corporate teams or start-up founders, he demonstrates how entertainment thinking can revolutionise any industry and how bold ideas can become commercially successful realities. Audiences leave with practical insights into innovation, risk-taking and brand development, alongside a renewed sense of possibility about what they can achieve. His warmth, charisma and willingness to share both successes and challenges make complex business concepts accessible and actionable, inspiring people to approach their own endeavours with fresh creativity and determination.