When Dragons’ Den returns to BBC One and iPlayer next year, it will do so with fresh firepower — and at the centre of the action sits one of Britain’s most inspiring self-made entrepreneurs: Susie Ma, the founder and CEO of Tropic Skincare.
Joining Ma as guest Dragons are music mogul Tinie Tempah, REFY CEO Jenna Meek, and returning football icon-turned-businessman Gary Neville. They’ll appear alongside the show’s resident titans Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett — a lineup that BBC Studios promises will bring “unmissable moments” to the long-running series.
But for Ma, her journey to the Den has been anything but typical.
Having launched Tropic Skincare from a market stall at just fifteen, Ma transformed her kitchen-table idea into one of the UK’s fastest-growing beauty brands, boasting an annual turnover of £68 million.
Her path first caught public attention on The Apprentice in 2011, where, despite not winning, she secured an investment from Lord Sugar. Fast-forward to 2023, and Ma had bought back his stake — taking full ownership of Tropic, now a multi-award-winning ethical beauty empire powered by over 38,000 Ambassadors and serving millions of customers.
Read more: Report Shows Hollywood’s “Asian Moment” Isn’t a Trend — It’s a Missed Business Opportunity
Named in The Sunday Times 40 Under 40 in 2024, Ma embodies the very spirit that Dragons’ Den celebrates: innovation, resilience and purpose-driven business.
Her commitment to sustainability and social impact has become a cornerstone of Tropic’s identity — with profits helping to fund millions of days of education and the planting of hundreds of thousands of trees worldwide.
Speaking about her new role, Ma said:
“It’s an absolute honour to join the Den as a Guest Dragon. I started Tropic from a market stall at fifteen, and I know the grit, vision and belief it takes to turn a spark of an idea into something extraordinary. I’m here to back the bold – the next generation of changemakers building businesses with purpose, creativity and courage. Sitting in that iconic chair is a pinch-me moment, and I’m so excited to help brilliant founders bring their dreams to life.”
Her appointment marks a new chapter for Dragons’ Den, one that increasingly reflects the diversity and drive of a new generation of entrepreneurs — particularly women leading purpose-led ventures in the beauty and wellness industries.
View this post on Instagram
While Tinie Tempah and Jenna Meek bring creative energy and digital-age savvy, Ma’s presence introduces something distinct: the voice of a founder who’s built a beauty empire rooted in ethics and empowerment.
For audiences and aspiring entrepreneurs alike, her story is a reminder that success can start from the simplest beginnings — and that purpose and profit don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Dragons’ Den returns to BBC One and iPlayer in 2026.
