Duncan Bannatyne founded the Bannatyne Group before becoming an investor on BBC's Dragon's Den.
Bannatyne built his business career across several industries before concentrating on health clubs, hotels, and spas. The Bannatyne Group became one of the UK's largest health-club operators, and its name remains closely associated with the entrepreneur.
He joined Dragon's Den as an investor in the programme's early period and became known for a direct, energetic style. His investments often focused on businesses that could be expanded commercially, rather than only on the novelty of an idea.
Bannatyne left the Dragon's Den panel in 2014. That departure is a common source of confusion because he was one of the most familiar early Dragons, while Peter Jones continued on the programme. The Bannatyne Group and the television series are separate parts of his career, although the show greatly increased his public profile.