Sarah Willingham

Biography

Sarah Willingham masterminded the international expansion of Pizza Express and Planet Hollywood before buying Bombay Bicycle Club and turning it into the UK’s largest chain of Indian restaurants.

As a former investor on BBC1’s Dragons’ Den, Sarah’s name is known to millions and she’s grown some of the UK’s most promising hospitality and lifestyle brands.

Sarah’s keynote speeches allow audiences to learn from her unshakable love of business and how to turn brands into international success stories.

“I’ve been at the coalface with every business I’ve ever launched and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty and do what it takes to help small businesses grow – I know what it takes to turn a great business concept into a thriving enterprise,” Sarah explained.

Sarah has invested in a string of businesses across the UK, Middle East and North America.

She also runs Nightcap which grows hospitality brands and venues that create vibrant, unforgettable guest experiences by bringing people together to share and connect.

In one of her most ambitious projects Sarah took over Brighton’s iconic landmark the i360 where she aimed to transform the fortunes of the eye-catching sea-front attraction.