Dragons’ Den investor Sarah Willingham is an Entrepreneur, investor and finance expert. She is a successful entrepreneur, consumer expert and investor in Europe. The entrepreneur is passionate about the hospitality and lifestyle sectors. She focuses on family and business equally, without sacrificing the quality of each other. Sarah became popular after appearing as an investor on the popular BBC Two series – The Restaurant.
Dragons’ Den Investor Sarah Willingham’s Net Worth
The net worth of Sarah Willingham is estimated to be £12m. Several businesses recognize her as a Consumer Champion and Finance Expert. Since childhood, the businesswoman wanted to build her empire. She believes in empowering other entrepreneurs, youngsters and retailers. The serial entrepreneur offers her expertise to Britain’s most promising hospitality and lifestyle companies. Sarah’s famous investments include London Cocktail Club, Tonkotsu and Craft Gin Club. In 2015, Sarah Willingham joined Dragons’ Den, becoming an investor for two seasons of the show.
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Dragons’ Den Investor Sarah Willingham’s Success Story
Sarah Willingham was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Since childhood, she was interested in business, brands and food, wanting to pursue a career in the same. Sarah holds two business degrees from Oxford Brookes University and Excelia Group. In 2004, the entrepreneur completed her Master of Business Administration from the Cranfield University School of Management.
Sarah was always passionate about branding and marketing operations. She started working from an early age. At the age of 11, she started delivering newspapers to homes. Subsequently, at 13, she joined the restaurant industry and loved the sector from day one.
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The entrepreneur spent the early years of her career managing cafes and restaurants including Pizza Express, Planet Hollywood and Chessageed Delights. In 2003, Sarah noticed an opportunity to establish a chain of Indian restaurants in the UK. Subsequently, she bought The Bombay Bicycle Club, a restaurant chain offering Indian food.
Moreover, she turned The Bombay Bicycle Club into the leading and most successful Indian restaurant chain in Britain. In the same year, Willingham successfully co-founded and listed NeutraHealth plc, a business offering nutrition-rich food. In 2007, she sold her shares in the Clapham House Group plc and Bombay Bicycle Club for £2.8m.
However, even after selling the businesses, Sarah remained one of the board directors of The Bombay Bicycle Club, Tootsies and The Real Greek. In April 2008, the entrepreneur established a private equity firm in Britain. The Sunday Times and Management Today listed Sarah in the “35 most successful women under 35” in Britain. In 2008, Britain’s business elite included her in the Who’s Who book and website.
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Sarah Willingham’s Portfolio
In 2011, Sarah became a partner in The London Cocktail Club, establishing her first Cocktail bar. Additionally, the tycoon partnered with her husband in 2012 to establish a money-saving website that helped users to make smart financial decisions. In 2013, American Express nominated Willingham as a “Spokesperson for Small Business Saturday”.
Sarah is chairperson of the Tonkotsu Group and a stockholder of Britain’s largest subscription venture for alcohol, ‘Craft Gin Club’. She is also the director and investor in the London Cocktail Club and has played an important role in its success. Being a CEO and founding member of the AIM-listed Nightcap PLC, Willingham is focusing on the business’s expansion. Moreover, Nightcap PLC owns and operates Barrio Familia, Cocktail Club and Adventure Bar Group.
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Sarah has partnered with her husband to jointly invest in technology, banking, consumer finance, food and drink, lead generation and entertainment.
Sarah also writes weekly columns in newspapers and magazines. She writes for several famous publications such as Huffington Post, MailOnline, Best, Hello! and Closer. The finance expert regularly talks on LBC Radio’s programme, The Money Hour. She also appears on BBC’s programmes, Watchdog and The One Show. Sarah is also a part of ITV’s This Morning, Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff, Sky’s Money Matters, The Big Deal and Good morning Britain. The entrepreneur also appeared as an investor on Sky’s programme, Cooks to Market.
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Dragons’ Den Investor Sarah Willingham’s Honours and Achievements
Sarah has received several honours and awards for her contribution to business and entrepreneurship. The Business Weekly rewarded the tycoon with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Sarah was also included in the Courvoisier Top 500 members for her dedication to the industry. Moreover, the City AM ranked Willingham among the 100 most influential entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom.
In January 2016, The Sunday Times named Sarah among the ‘500 Most Influential People in Britain’. Moreover, in 2017, Staffordshire University awarded the finance expert an honorary doctorate for her contribution to the business. In 2018, Oxford Brookes University and Cranfield University honoured Sarah with honorary doctorates.
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Sarah Willingham gained huge popularity after joining Dragons’ Den. She is a proud mother of four children and gives equal attention to her career and family. She has proved that entrepreneurs can proudly manage families and businesses together. The magnate is truly an inspiration for every woman who dreams to be successful.