North East-based entrepreneur Sara Davies MBE has announced that she will be stepping away from hit BBC show Dragons’ Den after five series.
She joined the show in 2019, becoming the youngest ever female Dragon to appear on it at 35 years of age.
The Crafter’s Companion founder has revealed that she has made the decision to prioritise her business, which she returned to as CEO in January.
“As a lot of you will know, I’ve taken up my position again as CEO of Crafter’s Companion and my business is my big priority this year,” she wrote on LinkedIn.
“And when I commit to a business, I really commit, which is why I find Dragons’ Den such a rewarding role.
“As well as filming an incredible show, being a Dragon requires so much dedication and time behind the scenes as you join the life of each business you invest in. It means seeing through your investment and committing to your part in that organisation.
“It’s so much more than a TV show. That’s why I’ve taken the decision to step away from the Den for now, to focus on my own business, which was my first baby! So I won’t be filming with the team this year for the next series.”
Davies, who received an MBE in 2016 for services to the economy, returned to save Crafter’s Companion in January after its directors called in administrators.
The serial entrepreneur revealed that she worked to save the company she founded as a student on Christmas Day.
She told The Chronicle: “At half past midnight on Christmas Eve I was receiving deal memos. It’s been literally non-stop.”
Davies hinted at potentially having to leave the show back then when she said: “I will probably have to cut down on the number of commitments outside of the business.
“I scaled it up last year because I wasn’t required as much in the business, and have been doing much more with the BBC.
“I will just have to be selective about the projects I’m doing. I need to be smart because you spend a lot of time travelling to do the filming.”
Over her time on the show, Davies has grown a stellar reputation as both a shrewd businesswoman and an inspiring character.
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Her successful investments over her six-year stint on the show include Will Chew’s Mak Tok, Hamza Shah and Steve Victor’s My Chocolate Shop and Hayley Hannigan’s Tiny Explorers.
Fans are already paying tribute to Davies in her comments section.
Andy Turner, Kandy Kitchen Creations director, commented: “Me and my wife had the pleasure of appearing on Dragons’ Den series 19 with our soup products.
“Sara didn’t invest in our business but her welcoming smile and supportive comments will stay with us forever. Humility is often overlooked in business but Sara has it in heaps.”
Purple Story CEO Karen Turton added: “Not going to beat around the bush here as you are a total inspiration to a fellow entrepreneur! My dream mentor.”
Viewers will be glad, however, to hear that we have not already seen the last of Davies in the Den.
She signed off her post by saying: “Sending so much love to my fellow Dragons and the amazing team behind it all.
“In the meantime, you can still catch me in the second half of this series of Dragons’ Den later in the year – it will not disappoint!”
The University of York graduate has also been announced as the host for ITV’s upcoming game show Time is Money and the first series of her BBC show The Big Idea Works recently aired.
All investments that Davies made during her time on the show can be seen here.