Deborah Meaden, businesswoman Desert Island Discs

Deborah Meaden is a businesswoman and entrepreneur. She’s been one of the investment ‘Dragons’ in the BBC TV series since 2006.
Destined to be a successful entrepreneur, Deborah Meaden launched her first business straight out of college at nineteen years old, importing artisan Italian glass and ceramic homeware goods to the UK.
After running various franchise businesses, she joined her family company, Weststar Holidays and eventually became Managing Director. A few years later, when her parents wanted to retire, she bought them out of the business and later sold the company making her a multi-millionaire.
Deborah is now a full time investor with a wide ranging portfolio. For the last fifteen years, she has been one of the investment Dragons on BBC TV’s Dragon’s Den. Even though she has many millions in the bank, she has no plans to step back from business. “Why would I stop doing something that I love?”
She lives in Somerset with her husband, Paul.
DISC ONE: Ride a White Swan by T. Rex
DISC TWO: The Bottle by Gil Scott-Heron / Brian Jackson
DISC THREE: Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye
DISC FOUR: Don't Push It Don't Force It by Leon Haywood
DISC FIVE: Money's Too Tight To Mention by The Valentine Brothers
DISC SIX: El Condor Pasa by Simon And Garfunkel
DISC SEVEN: Suite: The Planets – Jupiter composed by Gustav Holst, performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent
DISC EIGHT: Be Thankful For What You've Got by William De Vaughn

BOOK CHOICE: A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor
LUXURY ITEM: A sketch book and pencil
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Be Thankful For What You've Got by William De Vaughn
Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Sarah Taylor