Theo Paphitis founded the stationery retailer Ryman before joining the original panel of Dragon's Den.
Paphitis acquired control of the Ryman stationery business in the 1990s and became associated with its expansion. His retail experience was central to his credibility as an investor when the British programme began in 2005. He could assess product positioning, shop distribution and consumer demand during pitches.
He was one of the original Dragons, appearing alongside Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh and Doug Richard. Later series introduced different investors, so modern viewers may not always associate Ryman with the launch panel.
Paphitis's business interests extended beyond stationery, including retail and consumer brands. Ryman is often described as a stationery retailer rather than a general supermarket, a distinction that helps avoid confusing it with other high-street chains.