Honorary graduates 2010-11

Deborah Meaden (LLD)

Friday 16 July 2010, 11:30am

Deborah Meaden started her business career with very little capital, launching her own glass and ceramics import company as soon as she left business college. Deborah then set up one of the first ‘Stefanel’ fashion franchises to appear in the UK.

With several successful businesses in the leisure and retail sector under her belt, she became managing director of her family’s holiday park business, Weststar Holidays, acquired the major shareholding in a management buyout and later sold the company in a deal worth £33 million whilst retaining a 23% stake. She sold her remaining stake when the business was sold for £83 million in August 2007.

Deborah actively supports environmental charities and initiatives and in 2009 she accepted a role as an Ambassador for the WWF, the global conservation organisation. Chair of Childline Child’s Voice Appeal South West, Deborah also sits on the Board of the Roundhouse, the North London arts centre which hosts worldclass performances and provides creative projects for up to 6,000 13-25 year-olds from all backgrounds.

Deborah joined the panel of investors for series three of the BBC Two programme Dragons’ Den and has since invested in a number of businesses, both in the south west of England where she lives and across the UK.