Which Dragons’ Den investor became known as the BBC show’s first female Dragon?

Rachel Elnaugh became known as the first female Dragon on the BBC show.

Elnaugh was part of the original UK Dragons’ Den panel when the programme launched in 2005. Her presence made her the first woman to occupy a Dragon role in the British version, before later female investors such as Deborah Meaden joined the programme.

Her business background came from Red Letter Days, the experience-gifting company she founded. That history gave her particular relevance when entrepreneurs pitched consumer products, leisure ideas and businesses built around memorable customer experiences.

The fact is sometimes confused with the date Deborah Meaden joined the panel. Meaden became a major long-term Dragon, but she was not the first woman on the UK programme. The first female Dragon was Rachel Elnaugh, an original investor in the inaugural series.