Deborah Meaden joined the BBC’s Dragon’s Den panel in 2006 and became known for investing in businesses including property, leisure and retail ventures.
Meaden was born in Somerset in 1959 and built her business career through leisure and holiday operations. Before becoming a television investor, she held senior positions in the family’s leisure business and later acquired control of Weststar Holidays, which operated holiday parks and resorts.
Her Dragon’s Den appearances made her one of the programme’s most recognisable investors. She is often associated with direct questioning about financial figures, margins and the entrepreneur’s proposed valuation. Joining the panel in 2006 distinguishes her from the original launch investors who appeared in the first series.
Meaden is also a campaigner and public speaker, but those activities are separate from her role as a Dragon. The answer is her full name, rather than the name of one of the businesses in which she has invested.