Which entrepreneur was the first female Dragon on the BBC series Dragon's Den?

Rachel Elnaugh was the first female Dragon on the BBC series Dragon's Den.

Elnaugh joined the programme for its first series in 2005. Her appearance helped establish the show's original panel of business investors, alongside figures including Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, and Doug Richard. She was known for her direct questioning and experience in retail and marketing.

Elnaugh founded Red Letter Days, a company selling experience gifts such as driving days and adventure activities. The business later encountered serious financial difficulties and was sold to fellow entrepreneur Peter Jones. Elnaugh left Dragon's Den after its fourth series. She is sometimes confused with Deborah Meaden, who became one of the programme's best-known female Dragons later, but Meaden joined the panel after Elnaugh. Elnaugh's role is therefore a significant early milestone in the show's British history, rather than a reference to the first woman to remain on the programme for the longest period.