Kelly Hoppen to join Dragons’ Den

The BBC has announced that Kelly Hoppen MBE will be one of the new members of Dragons’ Den for series 11 of the BBC Two show.

With 37 years’ experience at the forefront of the design industry, publishers and businesses continually seek Kelly’s expertise, allowing her to indulge her entrepreneurial instincts. Kelly is the author of seven design books to date and is currently working on her eighth.

Devoted to making her design ethos accessible to the masses, Kelly shares her extensive knowledge in her popular Kelly Hoppen Design School. She also fronted Channel 5’s Superior Interiors in 2011.

As an independent 16-and-a-half year-old with a relentless passion for design, Kelly was given the opportunity to design a family friend’s kitchen. This modest commission not only created a teenage entrepreneur, it kick-started one of the most celebrated and extraordinary careers in the design industry.

Kelly has been the recipient of copious design awards and in 2009 was made an MBE for her services to interior design.

A dedicated supporter of good causes and the championing and nurturing of younger and older British entrepreneurs, Kelly is an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and the Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise.

Kelly says: “I have always been passionate about championing entrepreneurs, so being able to take it to the next level by investing my money in innovative new businesses is very exciting.

"Having started my design business as a teenager, building a global brand through two recessions, I understand the reality of running a creative business. I’m looking forward to bringing a different perspective into the Den and to hopefully finding an undiscovered gem or two!"

Ceri Aston, Executive Producer of Dragons’ Den, says: “Kelly is an exciting addition to the Dragons' Den line-up. With her creative energy, business acumen and acute sense of style, she embodies everything that's great about British design. I'm thrilled to have her on board.”