Simon Woodroffe

Simon Woodroffe OBE is a British motivational speaker and entrepreneur. He started the sushi chain "YO! Sushi" in 1997 [Yo! History. [http://www.yosushi.com/history.php] . Retrieved May 14, 2006.] , and has appeared as a 'Dragon' on the first UK series of Dragons' Den.

Simon left Marlborough College towards the end of the 1960s, at the age of 16, with 2 O-levels. He went on the road with the likes of Rod Stewart and The Moody Blues before becoming a stage designer.

After a spell in television, he conceived and launched "YO! Sushi" in 1997. The business established conveyor belt sushi bars featuring call buttons, robot drinks trolleys, Japanese TV, self heating plates and other such novelties.

In September 2003, Woodroffe sold his controlling interest in "YO! Sushi" in a £10m deal, backed by private equity firm Primary Capital. Woodroffe retains a 22% stake and continues working as a business entrepreneur, also taking time to present TV programmes.

He currently speaks around the world at corporate and promotional events, and has appeared on stage at the Edinburgh Festival to discuss his "YO! Sushi" venture.

Woodroffe received an OBE on 17 June 2006.

Personal life

Divorced from his first wife, the couple have a daughter. Woodroffe lives on a house boat, a walking distance from his current partner, actress Cherie Lunghi's flat off of the Kings Road, Chelsea. [citeweb|url=http://saga.inbro.net/seeinsidebrochure/SAGA-Magazine_November-2007/In-the-Middle-/Cherie-Lunghi/pages_84-85|title=In the Middle|publisher=Saga|date=2007-11-01|accessdate=2008-09-27]

References

*cite web
last =New Business
first =
authorlink =
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title =Be YO! Self
work =
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date =07-01-2003
url =http://www.newbusiness.co.uk/article/07/01/2003/simon_woodroffe_s_comment_858.html
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doi =
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