Hilary Devey joined the Dragon's Den panel in 2011 after appearing as a guest investor.
Devey was a British businesswoman and television personality best known for building Pall-Ex, a palletised freight distribution network. Her business background made logistics and transport especially relevant areas of expertise when she evaluated entrepreneurs' proposals.
She first appeared on the programme as a guest investor before becoming a regular dragon. Her appointment added another prominent female entrepreneur to a panel whose membership had changed repeatedly since the BBC series began.
Devey left Dragon's Den after one series as a regular investor and later became associated with other television work. This history is distinct from the careers of Deborah Meaden, Kelly Hoppen and later female dragons such as Sara Davies, all of whom joined at different points. The guest-investor route is also not the same as being the presenter.