Deborah Meaden joined the Dragon's Den panel in 2006 and became known for investing in family businesses.
Meaden is an English businesswoman and television personality whose career included work in leisure, retail and hospitality. Her business experience made her a prominent Dragon, particularly when assessing practical operations, margins and the ability of a company to expand.
She joined the BBC programme during its early run and became one of its longest-serving and most recognisable investors. Her manner on the show is direct and commercially focused, but she has also invested in entrepreneurs whose businesses are closely tied to their personal expertise or family involvement.
The joining year is sometimes confused with the launch year of the programme. Dragon's Den began in Britain in 2005, whereas Meaden became a Dragon in the following series. She is also distinct from Rachel Elnaugh, who was part of the original panel and is associated with the show's earliest period.