On Dragon's Den, which investor is best known as the founder of Bannatyne Health Clubs?
Answer
Duncan Bannatyne
Duncan Bannatyne is best known as the founder of Bannatyne Health Clubs and a Dragon's Den investor.
Bannatyne built his business career through leisure and health clubs. The Bannatyne Group became one of the United Kingdom's largest independent health-club operators, with gyms, spas and hotels among its interests. His route into business began before his television career, including work in ice-cream sales and care homes.
He joined the original Dragon's Den panel in 2005. On the programme, he was particularly associated with direct questioning about sales, margins and the amount of ownership entrepreneurs offered in return for investment.
The name can cause confusion because Bannatyne's on-screen identity is often reduced to the word “Dragon.” His principal business legacy, however, is the Bannatyne Group, not a technology company or a retail chain.