Born in Colchester, Essex in 1969, Sarah left school aged 16 with very few formal qualifications. She moved to Ireland May 1994 to set up Needahotel.com. Starting with zero funding, needahotel.com sold hotel accommodation wholesale to travel agents and tour operators in Ireland at heavily discounted prices. Needahotel.com introduced a massive selection of hotels worldwide for travel agents and tour operators to put together their own packages for clients.

Newman went on to negotiate a long term contract with Ryanair based on any future hotel reservations. Sales grew at a rapid rate and in order to expand Sarah brought on board an MD and FD to assist her in their rapid growth plan. The company grew from one to 95 people within 10 years and sales of €100 million.

Newman sold Needahotel.com in 2006, to Cendant Corporation along with long term contracts with Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and BMI for their on and off line sales for hotel accommodation. Newman also worked with 80% of all UK and Irish travel agents, with her call centre, multi lingual, 7 days a week operation, based in Glenageary, Co. Dublin.

The company grew from one to 95 people within 10 years with sales of €100 million.

Newman has since been involved in Newmac Equity with her business partner, Tom McEnaney (ex Independent Editor) looking for opportunistic ideas in Ireland and Belarus. Newmac Equity brings leading Irish companies to a number of Belarusian business forums to meet their Government contacts. In her spare time Sarah is currently completing a leading Super Chalet in Zermatt, Switzerland, named after her daughter, Grace.