Who was the first female investor to appear on the UK version of Dragon's Den?

Rachel Elnaugh was the first female investor to appear on the UK version of Dragon's Den.

Elnaugh was part of the original British panel when the programme began in 2005. Before joining television, she became known as the founder of Red Letter Days, a business selling experience gifts such as adventure and leisure activities.

Her place on the inaugural panel is why she predates later female dragons including Deborah Meaden, Kelly Hoppen and Sara Davies. These investors all appeared in different periods, so identifying the first requires distinguishing the programme's original cast from its later, frequently changing line-up.

Elnaugh's tenure on the show was relatively brief compared with some other original dragons, which can cause her pioneering status to be overlooked. She remains historically significant because she was the first woman seated as an investor on the British edition.