Which investor became the first female dragon on the British version of Dragon's Den?

Rachel Elnaugh became the first female dragon on the British version of Dragon's Den.

Elnaugh was part of the original investor panel when the British programme launched in 2005. Her business background was linked to Red Letter Days, a company selling experience gifts, and she brought experience in consumer products, branding and entrepreneurship to the den.

Her place in the programme's history is distinct from Deborah Meaden's later and much longer association with the show. Both were female dragons, but Elnaugh appeared in the original series, while Meaden joined after the first series.

Elnaugh's tenure was relatively early in the programme's development, so later viewers may encounter her less often than investors who remained for many seasons. The historical label “first female dragon” refers to the British series' investor panel, not to the first woman to appear in any international version.