Deborah Meaden joined the panel of the British television programme Dragon's Den in its third series in 2006.
Meaden is an English businesswoman and investor who became one of the programme's most recognisable Dragons. Her business background includes operating and investing in companies in leisure, retail and consumer sectors. On the show, she is known for focusing closely on figures, margins, management ability and the practical route to growth.
Her arrival came after the programme had already established its original panel. This makes her distinct from Rachel Elnaugh, who was an original Dragon, and from later additions such as Sara Davies and Kelly Hoppen. The changing panel is a recurring feature of Dragon's Den, so series numbers are important when identifying when an investor joined.
Meaden's television role is separate from her private investment portfolio. A deal agreed in the Den is also subject to due diligence after filming, meaning an on-screen agreement is not automatically a completed investment.