Sarah Willingham

Sarah Willingham, entrepreneur, consumer champion, and all-round female boss, is proving that you really can do it all. The self-titled ‘Mumpreneur’ has effortlessly balanced family life with international business success throughout her career, by paving her own way and making smart investments. Now, advocating for others to do the same, the influential businesswoman uses her platform as a keynote speaker to offer implementable advice, both to individuals and corporations, wanting to replicate her success. Named in The Sunday Times as one of Britain’s 500 Most Influential People, Sarah’s power as a speaker is transformational, an opportunity not to be missed.

Best recognised as a former Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den and as the Founder and CEO of Nightcap Group, Sarah’s authority in the consumer food and drink market is unparalleled. She and her husband, Michael, founded Nightcap in 2021 with a bold mission to build the UK's leading hospitality group. The company went on to deliver the most successful float on AIM that year and is the award-winning group behind some of the UK’s most exciting bar brands and venues, including The Brighton i360, The Cocktail Club, Tonight Josephine, and Dirty Martini. Repeating the same savvy investing, Sarah is also Chair and investor in Tonkotsu, the award-winning ramen restaurant group, and Rockwater, the coastal hospitality brand.

Backed by three business degrees, including an MBA from Cranfield School of Management, and an early passion for the food industry, Sarah began working in restaurants from the age of 13. Thriving in a consumer-led environment, Sarah soon climbed the corporate ladder to lead the international expansion of PizzaExpress and Planet Hollywood before striking out on her own to acquire the Bombay Bicycle Club, transforming it into the UK’s largest chain of Indian restaurants. With an ability to capitalise on opportunities and drive business propositions, Sarah has gained a reputation for her impressive impact. A market leader from the outset, her achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including: The Times' “35 Most Successful Women Under 35”, Business Weekly’s “Young Entrepreneur of the Year”, and being named Business Leader of the Year at the prestigious Publican Awards in 2023.

Driven by her ambition to support others in replicating her success, Sarah is a champion of the underdog and an advocate for women in business. As a speaker, she explores a range of topics, from scaling businesses, balancing risk and reward in investing, to being your own boss, and growing a business. Sarah lives in Brighton with her husband Michael and their four children.