Deborah Meaden first joined the BBC television panel Dragons' Den in 2006.
Meaden replaced Rachel Elnaugh as one of the show's investors during its early run. Before appearing on television, she had developed experience in business and investment, including work connected with family enterprises and leisure businesses.
Her Dragons' Den role made her one of the programme's best-known long-term investors. She became associated with evaluating entrepreneurs' products, financial plans and proposed equity deals.
The year 2006 is distinct from the programme's launch year, 2005. It is also separate from the later arrivals of other investors, so identifying the year requires distinguishing the show's original panel from subsequent additions.