Simon Woodroffe was one of the five original Dragons in the first UK series of Dragon's Den.
Woodroffe was already known as the founder of the Yo! Sushi restaurant chain, which opened its first site in London in 1997. His business background made him a notable early investor on the programme.
The other original Dragons were Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh and Doug Richard. This line-up belongs to the show's first British series, rather than to later seasons when the panel changed.
Woodroffe left the regular panel after the first series. He was later associated with the YOTEL hotel concept, another business built around a distinctive brand and customer experience.