Deborah Meaden joined the British television programme Dragons' Den in 2006.
Meaden became one of the programme's most recognisable investors after joining the panel for its second series. Before television, she had built experience in business, including work connected with family enterprises and leisure businesses. That commercial background shaped her interest in brands, operations and companies with room to expand.
Her arrival followed the departure of Doug Richard after the first series and formed part of the programme's early reshaping. She later became one of the longest-serving Dragons, appearing alongside investors such as Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis and James Caan.
The year 2006 is sometimes mistaken for the show's launch year, but Dragons' Den first aired in Britain in 2005. Meaden's tenure began the following year, and she remained associated with the programme through many subsequent panel changes and series.