Dragons Den returns this weekend with a fresh batch of hopeful entrepreneurs, as well as some new dragons looking to shake things up. Among the new faces is Tej Lavani, who will be joining the team for the first time. Tej is the CEO of Vitabiotics, which is the largest vitamin company in the UK, with a turnover of over £300m a year. The company was founded by his father, and Tej has spent the last 20 years helping it grow into a leading nutrition company.
During his time leading the Vitabiotics brand, Tej has seen it expand to selling products to over 100 countries across the world. It produces many of the highest selling vitamins within the UK including Wellwoman and pregnacare, and has also received the Queen’s Award for Innovation. In 2013, he was awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year by TiE and the businessman credits his determination to his parents, who have had their own success.
Tej’s father founded Vitabiotics in 1971 and remains the chairman for the company, whilst his mother was Miss India and a Miss World runner-up. Joining Tej is fellow newcomer Jenny Campbell, as well as returning faces Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones and Touker Suleyman. The new series of Dragons’ Den begins Sunday August 20th at 20.00 on BBC Two.
