As a selection of entrepreneurial hopefuls take part on BBC’s Dragons’ Den for its 21st series, there’s a special group of people they need to impress.
The Dragons’ Den cast is made up of successful investors from a range of industries. The current series, which runs until 17 April 2025, includes some long-time favourites as well as some guest judges. But who are they and how did they make their fortunes?
Permanent Dragons’ Den cast 2025
Peter Jones
Industry: Telecoms and technology
Estimated worth: £500 million
Total invested: £7 million
Peter Jones is the longest-serving Dragon and known for his work shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs.
His journey to business success started at age 16 when he qualified as a tennis coach and launched his own tennis academy.
In his 20s, he ran a range of businesses to varying degrees of success. Jones then took a step away from running his own businesses to join a large corporate company.
In 1998, he founded a telecoms company which went on to earn £44 million in its second year of trading. He’s since moved into investment, with a portfolio of over 100 companies.
Deborah Meaden
Industry: Leisure and retail
Estimated worth: £40 million
Total invested: £6 million
Deborah Meaden is one of the best-known Dragons and has been a fixture in the Den since series three. She launched her first business aged just 19, selling imported glass and ceramics to upmarket department stores.
She later took up a position in her family amusement arcade business and its holiday park arm, Weststar Holidays, working her way up from the shop floor to Managing Director.
Meaden sold the company to an equity firm in 2005 for £33 million, keeping a 23 per cent stake and an active role in the business. Weststar Holidays was subsequently sold to Parkdean Holidays for £83 million in 2007, at which point she exited the business.
Since then, she’s managed a portfolio of over 15 investments. Her business interests range from sustainable clothing to Christmas decorations.
Read more: What does CEO stand for? A small business guide
Steven Bartlett
Industry: Technology and media
Estimated worth: £70 million
Total invested: £3 million
The youngest Dragon, aged 32, Steven Bartlett burst onto the scene a few years ago as an entrepreneur, speaker, and author.
Best-known for his successful business podcast, Diary of a CEO, Bartlett became a Dragon in 2021 for series 19.
Bartlett’s rise to becoming an entrepreneur is well-documented. He dropped out of university aged 18 to start working on his first business idea. In 2013, he founded Wallpark – an online message board for students to connect.
Since then, he’s launched and run a range of businesses from marketing agencies to software products. He’s also invested in high-profile businesses such as Huel and Zoe.
Sara Davies
Industry: Arts and crafts
Estimated worth: £37 million
Total invested: £2 million
Sara Davies joined the cast of Dragons’ Den in 2019 for the 17th series.
She’s known for starting the company Crafter’s Companion after spotting a gap in the market (crafters sending out their products in plain envelopes) while studying at the University of York.
The company is now a leading craft supplier and global retailer, based in the North East of England and employing more than 200 people across the world.
Davies has a passion for championing women in business, providing mentoring through the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. She recently revealed that the current series of Dragons’ Den will be her last.
It’s been rumoured that she might be replaced by former footballer turned businessman Gary Neville, who has been a guest Dragon in recent series.
Touker Suleyman
Industry: Fashion and retail
Estimated worth: £200 million
Total invested: £3.4 million
A regular in the den since series 13, Touker Suleyman is best known for owning men’s fashion brand Hawes & Curtis and womenswear label Ghost.
After starting in the retail world aged 18, Suleyman established a clothing manufacturer. He famously bought Hawes & Curtis for just £1. Despite taking on all of Hawes & Curtis’ debt, Suleyman saw potential in the brand’s heritage.
As well as his experience in fashion, Touker Suleyman branched out into retail and commercial property, adding a range of businesses to his portfolio.
Read more: How to start a clothing brand: your 9-step guide
Dragons’ Den guest dragons
In recent series, the cast of Dragons’ Den has included a selection of guest judges.
Trinny Woodall
Industry: Fashion and beauty
Estimated worth: £180 million
Sarah-Jane Duncanson Woodall, better known as Trinny, came to the fore on BBC series What Not to Wear in the early 2000s.
As well as a successful media career, Woodall has co-authored numerous fashion books, selling millions of copies worldwide.
More recently, she founded hugely successful makeup brand Trinny London in 2017.
Joe Wicks
Industry: Health and fitness
Estimated worth: £14 million
The nation’s favourite PE teacher, Joe Wicks rose to fame for his healthy eating and fitness social media videos.
In 2015, he published Lean in 15, the first of several successful books. Also known as The Body Coach, Wicks now has a range of business interests.
Emma Grede
Industry: Fashion and beauty
Estimated worth: £280 million
Emma Grede is a successful entrepreneur and fashion designer.
She runs denim company Good American and co-founded shapewear clothing company Skims with Kim Kardashian. She’s also a co-founder of Safely, a plant-based cleaning and self-care brand.
Grede has branched out into investment, taking a stake in luxury fashion label The Elder Statesman last year. She’s also appeared on US TV series Shark Tank, which follows a similar format to Dragon’s Den.
What do the Dragons have in common?
The current set of Dragons represent a mix of business skills and industries.
One thing they all have in common is that they recognised their entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. They were also willing to take risks and go out into the business world on their own. The Dragons have had to face setbacks along the way, recovering and learning from negative experiences.
When it comes to businesses they might be looking to invest in, sustainability, technology, and communications appear to be some of the most popular industries.
However, it’s important to remember that the Dragons are looking to invest in a person as well as a business idea.
More useful business guides
- How to start a business in 9 steps
- Small business ideas – best businesses to start yourself
- 5 trending products to sell in 2025
- Key dates small businesses need to know for 2025
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