Hilary Devey has been named as James Caan’s replacement in the new series of Dragons’ Den when it returns to BBC Two this year.
She will be joining the other dragons, Peter Jones, Theo Paphitis, Duncan Bannatyne and Deborah Meaden on the panel, judging the pitches of wannabe entrepreneurs.
Hilary is an award-winning business woman who founded her company, Pall-ex, in 1996. Unable to secure funding, she sold her car and home to finance the start-up.
She grew the company into a multi-million pound European business empire, transforming the Pallett distribution industry and launching a business model which is now used as standard across the industry.
Hilary says: “At a time when the banks are failing to invest in British small businesses, I am proud to be able to do my part to support the next generation of UK entrepreneurs.
“In order to set up Pall-Ex in the mid-Nineties, I had to sell my house and car in order to get the start-up capital necessary to fulfil my business ambitions, as none of the banks appreciated my potential.
“I would have loved the opportunity to have stood before the Dragons.”