Sara Davies
Sara Davies | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 23, 1984 Coundon, County Durham, England |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, business leader, television personality |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Known for | Founder of Crafter's Companion; investor on Dragons' Den; Chief Inspiration Officer at Avon UK |
Sara Davies (born 23 April 1984) is a British entrepreneur, business leader, and television figure. While studying at the University of York, she established Crafter's Companion. In April 2019, Davies joined the seventeenth series of the BBC's Dragons' Den, taking over from Jenny Campbell. In 2021, she became the North East Ambassador for Smart Works Newcastle, a charity dedicated to supporting unemployed women through clothing provision and coaching. In July 2024, she was appointed Chief Inspiration Officer at Avon UK.
Early life
Born in Coundon, County Durham, England, in 1984, Davies has a sister and earned a first-class degree in Business from the University of York in 2006. She was a student at Derwent College during her time there.
Career
Davies launched Crafter's Companion, a craft supplies enterprise, in 2005 while still attending university. During an internship at a small craft company, she spotted an opportunity for a custom envelope-making device and collaborated with a local carpenter to create The Enveloper. This product debuted on the Ideal World shopping channel and sold 30,000 units within six months. By the time she graduated, the company had reached £500,000 in sales.
By 2019, Crafter's Companion was exporting to more than 40 countries, with its UK base in Newton Aycliffe and additional locations in Evesham, Chesterfield, and Colne. The business also maintained an office in Corona, California, and employed around 200 people worldwide. The company’s turnover neared £25 million in 2018.
As an entrepreneur, Davies actively mentors women through the Entrepreneurs' Forum. In July 2024, Avon UK appointed her as Chief Inspiration Officer to promote female entrepreneurship.
Television
Davies presented the craft series Be Creative on Local Television Limited in 2015. On 23 April 2019, she became the youngest female investor on BBC Two’s Dragons' Den. She revealed she had been a fan since the show began and had pitched on it thirteen years earlier.
Starting September 2021, Davies participated in the nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec; they were eliminated during Week 8 following a dance-off.
In 2023, she featured on BBC Four’s Spring Walks, showcasing Healey and the Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire. That year also saw her compete on Richard Osman's House of Games and appear as a guest in "Dictionary Corner" on Countdown alongside Susie Dent.
In July 2024, Davies took on the role of Chief Inspiration Officer at Avon UK. ITV announced in March 2025 that she would host their new game show Time Is Money. On 6 March 2025, Davies declared she would step back from filming the upcoming series of Dragons’ Den to concentrate on her business ventures.
Publications
- We Can All Make It, Transworld Publishers Ltd
- Craft Your Year with Sara Davies The Crafting Bible, Transworld Publishers Ltd
Awards and honours
Davies was honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for her contributions to economic growth.
Her accolades include several entrepreneurial distinctions such as the Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2010, Entrepreneur of the Year at the Shell Women of the Year Awards in 2013, and inclusion among startups.co.uk’s Young Guns Entrepreneurs of 2015. Additionally, she secured two Lloyds Bank National Business Awards: Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year in 2010 and Outstanding Contribution to British Business in 2019. On 6 February 2024, she received an Honorary degree from the business school at the University of York.
Personal life
In September 2007, Davies wed Simon. The couple has two sons and lives in Teesside.