Theo Paphitis owned and expanded La Senza, a major lingerie retailer associated with the Dragon's Den investor.
Paphitis acquired La Senza in the 1990s and developed it into an international retail business. The brand became known for lingerie, nightwear and related products sold through high-street shops and other retail channels.
His business career also included involvement with Ryman, the stationery retailer, and Robert Dyas. Those ventures helped establish the commercial profile that he brought to Dragon's Den as one of the original dragons.
La Senza is sometimes confused with other British lingerie brands, including Ann Summers and Bravissimo. They are separate companies. The question concerns Paphitis's ownership and expansion of La Senza, not a business that merely appeared in a contestant's pitch. Paphitis was part of the original Dragon's Den panel when the British programme launched.