Sarah Willingham

Former Dragon's Den Investor & Entrepreneur Named on the Times 35 Most Successful Women Under 35

Sarah Willingham, a distinguished businesswoman and former Dragon on Dragon's Den, is celebrated for her entrepreneurial acumen, investment success, and role as a consumer advocate. Renowned for her exceptional management of high-street restaurants such as Chessageed Delights, Planet Hollywood, and Pizza Express, Sarah also owned The Bombay Cycle Club, which flourished under her leadership. Her ability to transform this chain into the largest Indian restaurant group in the UK, expanding it from six to seventeen venues, showcases her remarkable business skills and vision.

After selling her shares in The Bombay Cycle Club, Sarah took on a board position, overseeing 50 restaurants, further solidifying her reputation as a top-tier business manager. Her entrepreneurial journey continued with the co-founding of Nutrahealth, a company that successfully acquired several other businesses in the vitamin and mineral supplements industry before Sarah sold her shares. She also co-founded and invested in the London Cocktail Club, which has grown substantially, with multiple venues in prominent locations such as Great Portland Street and Bristol. Additionally, Sarah launched letssavemoney, a money management initiative, and gained prominence as a restaurant inspector on The Restaurant.

Sarah's television career includes roles as an independent investor on Cooks to Market and as a Dragon on Dragons' Den, where she made numerous successful investments in businesses like Craft Gin Club and Love Me Beauty. Her achievements have earned her recognition in Management Today and The Sunday Times' "35 Most Successful Women Under 35" lists, The Sunday Times' "500 Most Influential People in Britain" list, and accolades such as the American Express Spokesperson for Small Business Saturday 2013 and inclusion in the Courvoisier Top 500. Furthermore, she has received honorary doctorates from Cranfield University, Oxford Brookes University, and Staffordshire University.

As an International Women's Day keynote speaker, Sarah Willingham is highly sought after for her ability to inspire and educate corporate audiences. Her speeches draw from her extensive experience in food retail management and her journey of transforming numerous businesses into thriving enterprises. Sarah's story of success, from cocktail clubs to Indian restaurants, offers invaluable insights and motivation to aspiring entrepreneurs, making her an ideal choice for corporate events. Her expertise and inspiring journey make her a powerful advocate for women in business and a role model for future business leaders.

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