Duncan Bannatyne founded the Bannatyne Group in the UK health-club sector.
The Bannatyne Group developed into a major operator of health clubs, spas and hotels. Its best-known activities include fitness facilities, gym memberships and wellness services. Bannatyne's expansion of the group established him as a prominent British entrepreneur before and during his time on television.
Bannatyne joined Dragon's Den as an original investor in 2005. His health-club experience meant that he often assessed businesses through the lens of recurring customers, operating costs and the practical delivery of a service. He remained on the programme for many years before leaving the panel.
The company name is easy to confuse with other UK leisure chains, including Fitness First and David Lloyd Leisure. Those are separate businesses. The health-club group founded by the Dragon himself is specifically the Bannatyne Group.