Jenny Campbell
Jennifer Bernice Campbell | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 5, 1961 Hyde, Cheshire, England |
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Known for | CEO of YourCash Europe Ltd; Dragon on Dragons' Den (2017–2019) |
Jennifer Bernice Campbell (Template:Née Sproson; born 5 October 1961) is a British businesswoman and entrepreneur. In 2010, she acquired YourCash Europe Ltd from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), serving as CEO until she sold the company in 2016. From 2017 to 2019, Campbell appeared as a "Dragon" on Series 15 and 16 of the UK's Dragons' Den.
Campbell took ownership of Hanco ATM Systems from RBS in 2010, subsequently rebranding it as YourCash. The firm operates independently as an ATM provider across the UK, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Before purchasing YourCash, she spent over three decades at Royal Bank of Scotland Group, undertaking positions in sales, operations, change management, risk management, and senior leadership.
Career
At age 16, Campbell left formal education to join NatWest as a cash counter and ATM replenisher. She pursued banking studies through evening classes and later secured a position at NatWest’s London headquarters. Following RBS’s acquisition of NatWest in 2000, Campbell assumed a senior role focused on integrating the two banks’ operational systems.
Banking and YourCash
In 2006, Campbell was appointed Head of Operations at Hanco ATM Systems, an RBS subsidiary generating £7 million in annual profits. When the 2007 recession prompted RBS to divest Hanco, Campbell saw an opportunity and initiated a bid to acquire the business. After some delays, she successfully led a management buyout in 2010 and rebranded the company as YourCash. By 2013, she completed a secondary buyout through refinancing, securing full ownership and becoming the principal shareholder.
Under her guidance, YourCash grew its ATM network across the Netherlands, UK, Belgium, and Ireland, strengthening its footprint within the European automated cash machine sector.
Charity and social work
Campbell actively supports charitable organizations dedicated to entrepreneurs and disadvantaged young people. She holds the position of Vice President for The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Fellowship program alongside Nick Wheeler of Charles Tyrwhitt and Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of EasyJet.
In 2015, she was granted the Freedom of the Guild of Entrepreneurs, an organization committed to fostering entrepreneurship and providing development opportunities for young founders.
Dragons' Den (2017-2019)
Joining BBC’s business investment show Dragons' Den in 2017 for its fifteenth and sixteenth series, Campbell invested in five startups before departing in 2019 to concentrate on her sons’ entrepreneurial projects and charitable commitments. Her portfolio included ParkingPerx, Didsbury Gin, hemp skincare company Carun UK, advertising firm Driven Media specializing in truck campaigns, and energy comparison service Look After My Bills. In 2019, she divested her stakes in Driven Media, Look After My Bills, and Carun.
Although Campbell made twelve investments during her time on Dragons’ Den, she became known for rapidly exiting deals—a reputation highlighted by the official Dragons’ Den YouTube channel in a video compilation titled "6 times Jenny Campbell Forgot to Say 'I'm Out'."
Directorship
Campbell holds a Director position at Russon Campbell Developments Limited, a construction company owned by her son Tom. Additionally, she serves on the boards of The Kennel Club UK and the Woman of the Year Awards.
Personal life
Born on 5 October 1961 in Hyde, Cheshire, Campbell completed her education at Manchester High School for Girls. She currently lives in the Suffolk countryside with her husband Andrew and their Flat-coated Retrievers. She is a mother to two sons. Her passions include breeding championship dogs, as well as participating in dog shows and serving as a judge.
Awards and recognitions
A successful businesswoman, Campbell earned her first accolade at age 23 after obtaining banking qualifications, receiving an award from the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
In 2011, she was recognized as a Regional Finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and secured a silver medal in the Turnaround Entrepreneur category at the 2013 Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Vitalise Business Woman of the Year
Campbell was honored with the Vitalise Businesswoman of the Year award in 2014 for her role in introducing free-to-use ATMs and driving YourCash’s expansion throughout Europe. This accolade celebrates female industrial leaders who motivate others; previous recipients include Karren Brady and Hilary Devey.
- Jenny's personal website
- Russon Campbell Developments
- Kricket London
- Ronevorg Kennel – Images and videos featuring Jenny's Flat-coated Retriever litters
- Woman of the Year