Who is the richest guest judge on Dragons’ Den?

Names like Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, and Theo Paphitis are the ones you’d usually associate with Dragons’ Den – having judged thousands of businesses since the TV program first aired in 2005. 

But in order to spice things up, the show started inviting guest judges into the Den last year to share their insights and bring new energy to the panel.

And just like the richest Dragons on the show, these guest judges started as hopeful entrepreneurs. 

Every one of them has their own business journeys and unique experiences that influence the decisions they make in the Den – helping them see which businesses have true potential, and those that are more likely to flop.

So, who holds the crown as the richest guest Dragon? Here’s who’s ruling the den when it comes to fortune and fame.

Emma Grede (£282 million)

Emma Grede’s entrepreneurial journey started when she was 26, after she co-founded and became CEO of Independent Talent Brand (ITB) – a global talent and influencer marketing agency. Grede exited the company ten years later, when it was acquired by marketing and PR agency Rogers & Cowan for an undisclosed amount.

Since 2016, Grede has co-founded several businesses, including clothing brands Good American and Skims. She has also worked with a handful of household names in co-founding and building these businesses – most notably Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Chrissy Teigen.  

According to The Sun, Grede’s net worth is $360m (approximately £282m). 

Now a renowned angel investor, Grede first appeared on Dragons’ Den during its 21st season in early 2024. During her time on the show, Grede invested £90,000 in seasoning and sauce brand Lumberjaxe in exchange for a 20% equity stake.

Gary Neville (£100 million)

While primarily known for his football career, Gary Neville is also an accomplished businessman, with an empire of companies in hospitality, property development, media, and education. 

But even before retiring from football in 2011, Neville had a non-stop portfolio of businesses. His most successful ventures include GG Hospitality, Hotel Football, Relentless Developments, Buzz 16, and Salford City FC.

Despite a financial setback in 2022 – in which his Hotel Football business faced a pre-tax loss of £630,158 – Neville’s net worth was reported to be between £70 and £100m. 

The first guest judge to appear on Dragons’ Den, Neville joined the show during its 21st season. Neville invested in two companies during this time – £100,000 in a joint deal with Sara Davies (£50,00 each) for 5% equity in sports recovery brand Myomaster, and £10,000 for a 5% share in food company Full Power Cacao.

Joe Wicks (£55 million)

Known as “The Body Coach”, Joe Wicks first came into the spotlight by sharing 15-second recipe videos on social media. He later grew his health and fitness brand on Instagram and YouTube where he has since garnered five million followers and 2.89 million subscribers, respectively.

In 2012, Wicks launched his Body Coach business – a subscription-based fitness app that offers personalised home workouts and healthy meal plans. According to The Body Coach website, the company has had over 600,000 clients in the last ten years.

The success of his business, plus social media fame, has led Wicks to gain a net worth of £55m. 

Wicks appeared alongside the regular Dragons on the show’s 22nd season in January 2025. Having been moved to tears by BodyXcore founder Joseph Keegan’s emotional business pitch, Wicks invested £35,000 in the company for a 12.5% stake, alongside Peter Jones and Touker Suleyman. 

Trinny Woodall (£54 million)

Trinny Woodall quickly became a renowned name in the fashion industry when she launched her first TV show – What Not To Wear – in 2001, alongside co-host Susannah Constantine. 

Woodall later took her fashion and beauty expertise to the business world when she founded her Trinny London cosmetics brand in 2017, which currently has a business valuation of £180m, according to Metro.

Understanding the loneliness and isolation that come with starting a business, Woodall launched her “Thriving in Business” course last year, offering bite-sized lessons on the essential parts of running a business, including securing investment, finding the right business idea, and effective marketing strategies.

Woodall’s successes over the years have seen her gain a £54m net worth, and she appeared on the 22nd series of Dragons’ Den. Alongside Deborah Meaden, Woodall jointly invested £50,000 in eco-cleaning brand Seep – which also ranked at 35 for the Startups 100 for 2025 Index – for a 4% stake in the company.

Final thoughts

The continuous popularity of Dragons’ Den – including the many successful businesses that have come from the show – has kept audiences hooked for years, especially with the addition of guest judges to shake things up.

But for businesses, it’s important to remember that money isn’t everything. While a rich investor might seem attractive at first, the right one will bring much more than just funding – they’ll also bring the experience, knowledge, and connections that can take your business further.

In the end, it’s not just about who can invest the most, but who truly believes in your mission and vision, and who can help you make it happen.

Need to find the right investor for your business? Check out our directory of the best UK venture capital funds to find the best fit for you.