From an especially early age Deborah Meaden knew she wanted her very own business.Having left college after O-levels Deborah studied at business university and following graduation worked as a sales room model in a fashion house before moving to Italy.

At the age of nineteen, with little capital she launched her very own glass and ceramics import company supplying upmarket stores like Harvey Nichols. Her next business venture was starting one of the first Stefanels franchises in the country but she shortly became discontented with the franchise model, and sold her share to her business partner.

A couple of profitable businesses in the leisure and retail sector later on she joined her family’s business.

Starting on the store floor, Deborah ultimately became MD of Weststar Vacations. In 1999 she went on to procure the major shareholding in a management buyout, later selling the company in a deal worth £33m while keeping a 23% stake.

Deborah still kept a pro-active role at Weststar, but started to dedicate more time to finding sound investment opportunities, including those she found on Dragons ‘ Den, which she joined in 2006 at the beginning of series three.

In Aug 2007, she sold her remaining stake when Weststar Vacations was sold for £83m. She’s now a full time financier with a portfolio which goes from fashion to software, waste control to market research.

Deborah supports numerous charities and is chair of the Childline “Child’s Voice Appeal South West”. Also she is involved with environmental charities and initiatives and has lately accepted a role as an envoy for the WWF.

Deborah lives in Somerset with partner Paul and a selection of pets.