Rachel Elnaugh became the first woman to join the main investment panel of the British series Dragons' Den.
Elnaugh was one of the original investors when the British programme launched in 2005. She was known for founding Red Letter Days, an experience-gift business that offered customers unusual activities and outings. Her entrepreneurial background made her a prominent member of the first panel.
She appeared in the first two series before leaving the programme. Deborah Meaden subsequently joined as her replacement in the third series, which is why Meaden is often remembered more strongly as the show's established female Dragon.
The distinction matters because “first woman” refers to the first female investor on the British panel, not the first woman to appear as a contestant or the first female Dragon in an international version. Elnaugh's time on the programme was brief but historically important.