Deborah Meaden

At the age of 19, with very little capital, Deborah Meaden launched her own glass and ceramics import company supplying upmarket stores like Harvey Nichols. Despite having sole agency rights, the goods started appearing in other high street shops and, without the finances for a legal fight, Deborah walked away and took on a franchise for Italian footwear and clothing company Stefanel, one of the first in the UK.

With several successful businesses in the leisure and retail sector under her belt, Deborah became Managing Director of her family’s holiday park business Weststar Holidays, acquired the major shareholding in a management buyout and later sold the company in a deal worth £33 million whilst retaining a 23% stake.

Since moving away from the leisure industry, Deborah has become an investor. Having first invested in a market research company, Deborah became a household name through her presence in BBC2′s Dragon’s Den. The show has led her to invest and advise all manner of businesses from a wool manufacturers to a baby products company, an online antique valuation service to a recipe website.

Today Deborah strives to achieve a life that is balanced between her business interests, the projects and causes she feels passionate about and spending time with her family, friends and animals.