Sahar Hashemi
Davos Forum youth global leader and entrepreneur.
Sahar Hashemi is the founder of Coffee Republic, the UKs fist US style coffee bar chain. She built it into one of the UK’s most recognised high street brands with 110 bars She has also been named one of the 100 most influential women in Britain.
Sahar Hashemi is one of the UK’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs and a powerful speaker on innovation and entrepreneurial mindset in corporations sharing with the audience her captivating personal stories of building two famous brands; Coffee Republic, UK’s first coffee bar chain, which she and her brother grew to 110 stores and £30m turnover and exited in 2001, and Skinny Candy, the guilt free confectionery brand which she sold to Glisten Plc in 2007. As well as being a bestselling author, Sahar was recently awarded an OBE for services to the UK Economy and to charity in the 2012 Birthday Honours list.
An internationally recognised speaker, Sahar’s captivating and uplifting speeches are unique as she combines her own enthralling ‘story’ with key themes of change management and employee engagement. By telling her very personal journey, she connects with the audience on an emotional level and brings to life the passion, determination and open mindedness needed to succeed. She makes a strong impact, igniting the audience with a ‘can do’ spirit and the tools and habits to ‘make it happen’.
Formerly a lawyer, Sahar has been recognised for her achievements as an entrepreneur by Her Majesty the Queen and named as a ‘Pioneer to the life of the nation’. She was also named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos. She was also named one of 100 most influential women in Britain by Daily Mail and 35 top women in British business by Management Today. In a Shell Livewire survey of role models Sahar was among the top 5. She has been on the cover of Director Magazine, Management Today, Observer Magazine, New Business Magazine, Business 550 and Voyager.
A passionate keynote speaker, Sahar’s energy is infectious and delegates always leave events inspired and motivated to stop ‘thinking about it’ and ‘get on with it’!
Her most recent book "Switched On," published in 2010, focuses on 8 habits that foster a more entrepreneurial mindset for employees. It is based on her experience of the transformation in culture when a small entrepreneurial company becomes big and successful, when the obvious and easy entrepreneurial habits are often forgotten as bureaucracy take over.