The BBC has announced a major shake-up for the upcoming series of Dragons' Den, with four new moguls joining the panel. Among them is Susie Ma, founder of Tropic Skincare, who rose to fame on The Apprentice in 2011. She will appear alongside regular Dragons Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, and Steven Bartlett.
Susie Ma, who did not win The Apprentice but secured investment from Lord Sugar, has since built a skincare empire with a turnover of £68 million. She was named in The Sunday Times 40 Under 40 list last year. Speaking about her role, she said: 'It’s an absolute honour to join the Den as a Guest Dragon. I started Tropic from a market stall at fifteen, and I know the grit, vision and belief it takes to turn a spark of an idea into something extraordinary.'
Other new guest Dragons include former footballer Gary Neville, who impressed during his appearance in the 21st series earlier this year. Singer Tinie Tempah, real name Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, will also join the panel. The 36-year-old musician has founded several businesses, including Disturbing London and virtual food brand RAPS, and recently launched label Imhotep to support young creatives.
Jenna Meek, CEO of make-up and skincare brand REFY, completes the lineup of new guest Dragons. She said: 'I am so excited to be joining Dragons’ Den, this has been a lifelong goal of mine. Dragons’ Den is the reason I became an entrepreneur, from watching it with my dad from such a young age.'
The new series is set to air in 2026. Samantha Davies, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Entertainment, said: 'Audiences love the powerful combination of our much-loved regular Dragons and the fresh energy Guest Dragons bring to the Den - and this series, we’re going bigger than ever.'
