Simon Woodroffe OBE
Founder of YO!
Simon Woodroffe OBE is the founder and creative driving force behind YO! The brand includes YO! Sushi, the chain of internationally famous conveyor belt sushi bars and YOTEL, the world's most radical hotel: luxury in just 10sq metres.!
"Find out what you're good at doing and spend 95 per cent of your time at doing just that"
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YO! Sushi and YOTEL have grown into internationally recognised brands. Simon’s entrepreneurial achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (1999), the Catey Group Restaurateur of the Year Award, and honours such as Retailer of the Year, Outstanding Retail Experience, and Design and Art Direction awards. Currently, YO! Sushi operates over 500 locations across UK restaurants and supermarkets, along with nearly 100 restaurants worldwide. In 2023, the brand was acquired by Zensho Holdings for £494 million. His early career was spent on the road with the likes of Rod Stewart and The Moody Blues before becoming a stage designer. He spearheaded the development of television deals to show huge international rock concerts worldwide.
WHAT he OFFERS YOU
As a result of his entrepreneurial success, Simon has developed a strong reputation speaking openly and avoiding business clichés. Audiences find his story extremely inspiring and a catalyst for their own endeavours be they in a large corporate setting or working at a start-up level.