Which British entrepreneur was the first woman to join the Dragon's Den panel?

Rachel Elnaugh was the first woman to join the British Dragon's Den panel.

Elnaugh became a Dragon during the programme's early years and was one of the original investors associated with its launch period. Her business background was in retail and entrepreneurship, and her appearance helped establish the panel as more than a group of male finance specialists.

She is especially associated with Red Letter Days, the experience-gift company she founded. The business became a prominent example of the opportunities and risks involved in rapid growth, and its financial difficulties later formed an important part of public discussion about her career.

Deborah Meaden is often given as the answer because she became the show's most enduring female Dragon after joining in 2006. However, Elnaugh joined earlier, making her the first woman on the British panel.