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Deborah Meaden

From Alfawiki
Deborah Meaden
Born
Deborah Sonia Charles

(1959-02-11) February 11, 1959 (age 67)
Taunton, Somerset, England
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, television personality
Years active1980s–present
Known forDragons' Den (BBC Two)

Deborah Sonia Meaden FRSA (born 11 February 1959) is a prominent British entrepreneur and television figure who took charge of a lucrative family holiday enterprise prior to executing a management buyout. She gained widespread recognition as one of the 'Dragons' on the BBC's business reality series Dragons' Den.

Early life

Born Deborah Sonia Charles in Taunton, Somerset, Meaden experienced her parents’ separation early in life, relocating with her mother and sister to Brightlingsea, Essex. At seven years old, her mother remarried Brian Meaden, who became an influential paternal presence. Her education included a short period at the Godolphin School, Salisbury, followed by attendance at Trowbridge High School for Girls (now known as The John of Gaunt School), which she left at age 16.

Career

Following business studies at Brighton Technical College, Meaden initially worked as a sales-room model before moving to Italy at 19 to launch a glass and ceramics export business serving retailers such as Harvey Nichols. This enterprise operated for approximately 18 months.

Together with a partner, she secured one of the UK’s earliest Stefanel textile franchises in the West Country, which she sold two years later for £10,000. Subsequently, she managed various leisure and retail ventures, including overseeing a Prize Bingo venue at Butlins in Minehead.

In 1988, Meaden joined her family’s amusement arcade business and later, in 1992, became part of Weststar Holidays, a family-run holiday park company based in Exeter, Devon. She spearheaded a management buyout in 1999, securing majority ownership. By the time she exited six years later, Weststar Holidays catered to over 150,000 customers annually and achieved an EBITDA surpassing £11 million. In 2005, she partially divested when Weststar was acquired for £33 million by Phoenix Equity Partners. In August 2007, she sold her remaining 23% stake during its £83 million acquisition by Alchemy Partners, valuing her share around £19 million.

In 2009, Meaden purchased Fox Brothers, a historic textile mill founded in 1772 and located in Wellington, Somerset, partnering with Douglas Cordeaux, former design director at Pepe Jeans London. That same year, she co-organized 'Play the Field', a classical music festival held on a Somerset farm. In October 2011, Meaden introduced 'The Merchant Fox', an online platform retailing British-made luxury products with verified provenance.

In 2009, Meaden encountered criticism from a planning inspector regarding contested evidence related to village green status affecting development proposals by Mudstone LLP, an enterprise in which she holds partnership.

Dragons' Den

Meaden is widely acknowledged for her role as an investor ('dragon') on the BBC Two series Dragons' Den. She joined during its third series in August 2006 alongside Richard Farleigh, taking over from Rachel Elnaugh and Doug Richard. Initially the sole female investor on the panel, this changed when Hilary Devey joined in subsequent seasons. , Meaden has committed over £3.3 million across investments in 63 enterprises through the programme.

Strictly Come Dancing

In the eleventh season of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing which began in September 2013, Meaden took part alongside professional dancer Robin Windsor. Her journey on the show concluded with her elimination on 26 October.

Other appearances

Harry Hill's Tea Time (2016)

Kevin Pietersen: Beast Of Man, Episode 8 (2019)

Radio

Since March 2022, Meaden has co-hosted The Big Green Money Show’’ on BBC Radio 5 Live. The program airs weekly and focuses on how businesses and individuals are addressing climate change, reflecting trends in sustainable finance.

Books

In May 2009, Meaden released Common Sense Rules, created with assistance from a ghostwriter. She followed this with Why Money Matters, a financial education book for children aged six to nine, featuring illustrations by Hao Hao, published in 2023. The next year, she authored Deborah Meaden Talks Money, aimed at young adults to enhance their understanding of financial matters.

Other work

Meaden appeared in promotional short films for Somerset’s business sector in 2009, commissioned by Into Somerset. She holds a position on the Council of Ambassadors for the World Wildlife Fund, and actively supports charitable organizations such as Dogs Trust and the Marine Conservation Society. Additionally, she is an ambassador for the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, established in 2022 to aid retired police, fire, prison, and border force dogs and horses. Since 2010, she has represented the Tusk Trust, joining its board of trustees in 2016.

Personal life

Meaden met her spouse, Paul Farmer, in 1985 and they tied the knot in 1993. The pair reside near Langport, Somerset, in a historic home they acquired in 2006 following Meaden’s sale of Weststar Holidays for £33 million. The residence has been carefully restored using materials authentic to its original period.

Her favourite film is The Shawshank Redemption. She prefers vacationing in Central and South America, and counts rugby union as her top sport. In October 2020, she transitioned to a plant-based diet. Politically, Meaden supported the Liberal Democrats during the 2019 elections and backed the Labour Party in 2024.

In August 2022, Meaden disclosed that she had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer identified in 2015 after her makeup artist spotted a concerning mark on her face.

Honours

Meaden was honoured with honorary degrees from the University of Exeter Business School and Staffordshire University in July 2010. She also received honorary degrees from Keele University in July 2013 and from Bath Spa University in July 2014. Furthermore, she was made a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

External links

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