Simon Woodroffe OBE

Simon Woodroffe OBE is an entrepreneur, business speaker and the founder of YO! Sushi, YOTEL and the YO! Company. He is best known for turning bold ideas into internationally recognised brands and for his unconventional approach to entrepreneurship, innovation and business.

Simon launched YO! Sushi in London in 1997 with little experience in the restaurant industry and a highly original vision for Japanese dining. The concept went on to become a global brand, helping to popularise conveyor-belt sushi in the UK. He later created YOTEL, bringing the design and efficiency of airline travel to hotels and pioneering concepts such as self-check-in, compact luxury rooms and robotic luggage handling.

An original Dragon on the first series of BBC's Dragons' Den, Simon became a familiar face on British television and has since built an international reputation as a compelling and candid public speaker.

Simon is passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership and the importance of taking risks, learning from failure and knowing when to let go. His philosophy is rooted in starting things, developing great ideas and empowering others to take them forward.

He was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999 and was awarded an OBE in the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours for his contribution to hospitality.

Simon is the author of The Book of YO! and continues to develop new ventures and share his experiences with entrepreneurs, business leaders and audiences around the world.

Keynote Topics

• Entrepreneurship & Starting a Business — How to turn an idea into a successful business, even without experience, money or a conventional background.
  
• Innovation & Disruption — Challenging convention, spotting opportunities and creating businesses that stand out in crowded markets.
  
• The Power of Ideas — Why great ideas matter, how to recognise them and how to turn them into something people want.
  
• Leadership & Letting Go — Simon's lessons on building teams, delegating responsibility and recognising when an entrepreneur is no longer the best person to run the business.
  
• Failure, Risk & Resilience — Why failure is an essential part of success and why stepping outside your comfort zone is critical to growth.
  
• Building Brands — Lessons from creating YO! Sushi and YOTEL and developing distinctive, memorable customer experiences.
  
• Creativity & Thinking Differently — Using creativity and unconventional thinking to solve problems and create new opportunities.
  
• Lessons from Dragons' Den — Insights from his experience as an original Dragon and investor, and what makes an idea, entrepreneur or business stand out.
  
• Success on Your Own Terms — Rethinking traditional ideas of career, wealth and success and finding your own path.
  
• The Entrepreneurial Mindset — Practical and inspirational lessons on confidence, perseverance, curiosity and taking action.

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