Many members of the public know Deborah Meaden as one of the ‘dragons’ of BBC Two’s Dragon’s Den, for her time on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, and for her other media appearances. However, she is also of course an immensely successful businesswoman and investor of many years’ experience, and a dedicated philanthropist.

Meaden established her first business at the age of 19, exporting glass and ceramics from Italy to retailers such as Harvey Nichols. Other business ventures followed, and in 1988 she joined her family’s amusement arcade business, soon moving across to holiday park division Weststar Holidays. She rose to become Managing Director, successfully growing the company and undertaking a management buyout of the business. She sold the company in 2005, giving up her final stake some years later when it was sold to Parkdean Holidays.

Meaden came to wider public attention when she joined the third series of Dragon’s Den, where she has provided capital for dozens of young businesses. Many of these have gone on to great success, including roll-able whiteboard Magic Whiteboard, womenswear brand Hope & Ivy, and auto-DJ system FitMix. Elsewhere on television, she has appeared on Have I Got News for You, Loose Women, Good Morning Britain, and dozens of other shows, and in 2013 took part in the eleventh series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Meaden has dedicated herself to many charitable causes, and holds environmental concerns particularly close to her heart. She is a fellow of the WWF, a patron of the Tusk Trust, an ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society, and has judged the Observer Ethical Awards since 2008. Additionally, she is an ambassador for both Lendwithcare and the Roundhouse, and a patron of MicroLoan, which provides small business loans to women in sub-Saharan Africa. She holds honorary degrees from several universities.