Deborah Meaden

Biography

Best known as serial investor on BBC One’s Dragons’ Den, Deborah Meaden puts the environment at the heart of every business decision and has called for better financial education in schools and more government support for small businesses.

She’s invested millions of pounds in dozens of companies since first appearing on the hit BBC show in 2006. Dragons’ Den is now a firm favourite with viewers and regularly pulls in over three million viewers.

Deborah’s huge popularity has made her a firm favourite on the speaking circuit not just with budding entrepreneurs but also established businesses keen to learn from Deborah’s success story. She is a brilliant speaker on Business, Leadership, Sustainability and the Environment.

Deborah is a self-made millionaire who has spent her life setting up and growing businesses, starting when she was just a teenager.

From her early years as a 19-year-old supplying ceramics to Harvey Nichols she went on to work in the family leisure business and eventually led a management buyout.

Deborah is keen to dispel any impression that she might come across as “mean” on Dragons’ Den adding: “What I am is tough”, and when you look at her track record, her tough decisions have really paid off.

She sold her holiday parks company in 2005 in a deal worth £33m whilst keeping a 23% stake and active role in the firm. She later went on to sell her remaining stake taking her total personal wealth to around £50m.

As an inspirational and motivational speaker Deborah is incredibly passionate about the planet and isn’t afraid to call out the corporate world’s poor record when it comes to protecting nature.

She is also a big supporter of more financial education in schools and has helped teenagers get to grips with money and finances in her book.

And Deborah’s talents took another step forward when she starred on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.