Simon Woodroffe
Simon Woodroffe | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 14, 1952 Oxford, England |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, public speaker |
| Known for | Creator of YO! Sushi and Yotel, investor on BBC's Dragons' Den |
Simon Woodroffe (born 14 February 1952) is a notable British businessman and public speaker, widely recognized as the creator of YO! Sushi and Yotel. He featured as an investor during the inaugural series of BBC's Dragons' Den, before being succeeded by Theo Paphitis in the following season.
The first YO! Sushi outlet was introduced by Woodroffe in 1997, marking the UK debut of conveyor belt sushi. The concept included innovative elements such as automated beverage delivery systems, call buttons at each table, and plates capable of self-heating.
In recognition of his contributions to hospitality, he was honored with an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) title in 2006.
Early life and education
Woodroffe was born in Oxford into a military household; his father served as a brigadier in the British Army. He spent his childhood in Essex alongside his younger brother Patrick. His education at Marlborough College ended at age 16, having achieved only two O-level qualifications.
Career
Following his departure from formal education, Woodroffe began working as a theatre stagehand. Throughout the 1960s, he contributed as road crew and stage designer for prominent musicians including Rod Stewart, the Moody Blues, and Jethro Tull. Subsequently, he transitioned into television, initially dealing with sales of rock and pop concert rights before producing programs centered on extreme sports.
YO! Sushi
The YO! Sushi brand was established by Woodroffe in 1997, financed through extended payment arrangements with suppliers rather than conventional startup funding. Although it was rumored that major corporations like Honda and Sony were heavily involved, their participation was limited to minor sponsorship roles.
In 2003, Woodroffe sold a majority interest in YO! Sushi for £10 million to Primary Capital while retaining a 22% stake. He eventually divested his remaining shares but maintained a perpetual 1% royalty on gross revenues. In 2023, ownership transferred to Zensho Holdings for £494 million.
Yotel and YO! Company
Woodroffe introduced the Yotel brand in 2007, featuring compact hotel accommodations modeled after premium airline cabins. The initial locations opened at London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports before expanding globally. By 2016, Yotel managed over 1,000 rooms across three nations.
Under the umbrella of YO! Company, Woodroffe broadened his ventures into real estate development with YO! Home and launched the YO! Foundation to support philanthropic efforts.
Prison reform advocacy
Woodroffe has championed prison reform by endorsing programs focused on vocational training and entrepreneurship for prisoners. Collaborating with groups such as Make Justice Work—which seeks to lower recidivism—he advocates for policies prioritizing rehabilitation and skill acquisition within correctional facilities.
Awards
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, 1999.
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), 2006.