Who Is Dragons’ Den Guest Dragon Jenna Meek? Meet the Entrepreneur Joining BBC Series Without Sara Davies.
As the BBC’s Dragons’ Den returns for its 23rd series without long‑time panellist Sara Davies, one of the new guest Dragons stepping into the iconic investor’s chair is entrepreneur Jenna Meek — a respected figure in the beauty and business communities known for building a successful cosmetics brand from the ground up.
Jenna Meek, aged 33, is co‑founder and CEO of REFY, a rapidly growing vegan and cruelty‑free beauty company based in Manchester. The brand, launched in 2020 alongside influencer Jess Hunt, has become one of the UK’s fastest‑expanding beauty labels with an annual turnover exceeding £40 million. REFY products — particularly its viral brow and makeup lines — are stocked in major retailers across the UK, Ireland, the United States, Canada and the Middle East, including Selfridges, Sephora and Brown Thomas.
Before REFY, Meek built her first venture at just 20 years old. After graduating with a degree in International Fashion Marketing, she worked in fashion and product development with luxury brands before launching The Gypsy Shrine — later known simply as SHRINE — a festival‑inspired makeup and glitter brand. That business gained global attention with pop‑ups at major festivals such as Coachella and featured on shows like Love Island. Meek later pivoted the business to focus on sustainability, introducing eco‑friendly products.
In 2024, Meek exited SHRINE after selling her stake, with the business poised for a turnover of around £50 million. Her success with multiple beauty brands and ability to scale REFY quickly helped establish her reputation as a leader in both entrepreneurship and product innovation. Meek’s achievements have earned recognition on industry lists, including Forbes 30 Under 30 and The Sunday Times* beauty rich list*.
Her appearance on Dragons’ Den marks a full‑circle moment: she has said that watching the show as a young woman with her father inspired her to become an entrepreneur in the first place. Now in the Den herself, Meek joins resident Dragons such as Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett, alongside other guest Dragons including former footballer Gary Neville and musician Tinie Tempah.
Meek brings to the panel a mix of strategic business experience, creativity in consumer‑centric brands, and a personal enthusiasm for supporting founders — traits likely to influence her investment choices. Her debut on the series reflects a broader shift in the Dragons’ Den line‑up following Sara Davies’ exit, as the BBC expands the format with fresh perspectives from leaders in different sectors.
Her journey from fashion marketing graduate to beauty empire co‑founder and now Dragons’ Den guest Dragon highlights the evolving nature of entrepreneurship in the UK — and underscores the programme’s ongoing role in spotlighting successful business minds.
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