Keynote SpeakersSimon Woodroffe OBE is the founder of YO! Sushi, YOTEL and the YO! Company. A serial entrepreneur, Simon was also one of the original ‘Dragons’ on Dragons’ Den.
Woodroffe left school at 16 and spent the next 30 years in the entertainment business.
His London and Los Angeles production companies designed and staged concerts for many artists during the ’70s and ’80s, including The Moody Blues, Madness, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, and George Michael.
In the 90s, Simon went into television. He spearheaded television deals to broadcast major international rock concerts worldwide, including Nelson Mandela concerts, Amnesty International shows, and Prince’s Trust concerts.
He conceived and created YO! Sushi, opening the first restaurant on Poland Street, Soho, in 1997. The venture succeeded, creating a restaurant chain and popularising conveyor belt sushi in Britain.
YO! Sushi and YOTEL have become global brands, and Simon continues, through the YO! Company, to conceive of new YO! ventures.
YO! Sushi now has more than 400 locations worldwide. In 2023 YO! Sushi was sold to Zensho Holdings for £494 million.
YOTEL has 5,000 rooms worldwide and continues to expand.
In recognition of his contribution to hospitality, Simon was awarded an OBE in the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Woodroffe receives a 1% royalty on turnover at all YO! Sushi restaurants and royalties from sales at YOTEL hotels and residences worldwide.
Dragon’s Den Simon:
In 2005, Woodroffe appeared on the BBC 2 worldwide hit programme Dragons’ Den as one of the Dragons, where would-be entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas for financing. Simon has also featured on Discovery TV’s VIP Weekends with Ian Wright, ITV’s Homes & Property and ITV’s The Millionaire’s Club.
Keynote Speaker:
After being asked to share his entrepreneurial success, Simon has built a strong reputation as an inspirational keynote business speaker.
As a speaker, Simon Woodroffe is charismatic and engaging. He shares a personal story about building the YO! brand and communicates his passion and vision for businesses. He has an energising presence, speaks common sense, avoids business-speak and clichés, and audiences say his message is practical.
Simon Woodroffe’s speaking topics include:
- Using Innovation to Win New Markets
- Getting to YO! or How I got my YO!
- The Business Revolution
- YO! – Superbrand
- Unlocking Creativity
- A Nation of Entrepreneurs?
- Outside the Comfort Zone
- First Impression Technology
- CAN I – Constant And Never-Ending Innovation
YO! Man – Simon’s autobiography:
Simon’s autobiography ‘Yo! Man‘ will be released in 2026.
