Susie Ma, founder of Tropic Skincare, has been confirmed as Touker Suleyman's replacement on Dragons' Den. The former The Apprentice candidate will take a permanent seat in the Den for the next series, which returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027.
Suleyman stepped down from the programme after more than a decade, with his final episodes airing in the most recent season. He joined Steven Bartlett, Deborah Meaden, and Peter Jones for the last time, alongside guest Dragons Gary Neville, Jenna Meek, Tinie Tempah, and Susie Ma. Sara Davies had announced her exit from the show last year.
Susie Ma's return to the Den
Susie Ma expressed her excitement about returning, saying: "I'm so excited to be returning. I loved the experience last time, but what's really drawn me back is the opportunity to discover and back founders who are doing things differently – particularly those who may not always get the investment or opportunities they deserve."
She added: "After more than 20 years of building Tropic, I've seen first-hand that business can be a powerful force for good. For me, it's about balancing the head and the heart: the numbers and the opportunity have to stack up, but I'm also looking for founders with a clear sense of purpose and the ambition to create something that has an impact beyond the bottom line."
Jamie Laing joins as guest Dragon
Jenna Meek and Gary Neville will also return as guest Dragons, alongside former Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing. The Candy Kittens founder and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant said: "I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Dragons and meeting the entrepreneurs brave enough to step into the Den. Building businesses has been such a huge part of my journey, and I know first-hand what it feels like when people don't believe in your idea, that sting stays with you."
Laing continued: "So I want to be the Dragon who does believe, who sees not only what's possible in someone's business, even when others might not, but sees the potential in the entrepreneur. There will always be challenges, mistakes, and moments of doubt along the way, but they're often the most valuable experiences you can have. I can't wait to bring my own perspective to the Den, ask the right questions, share what I've learned, and help the entrepreneurs we meet take their businesses to the next level."
Suleyman's farewell statement
Earlier this year, Suleyman announced he would be stepping down from the programme, with the show paying tribute to him as it came to an end. He said: "It has been an immense privilege to sit in that chair, to meet so many passionate and talented entrepreneurs, and to invest in businesses and people I truly believed in."
He continued: "At 72, I find myself reflecting on what matters most. I am proud of every deal made, every pitch challenge, and every founder I had the honour of backing. But I firmly believe that great institutions must evolve, and it is time for new blood to take my seat in the Den and bring their own vision to this brilliant show."
His statement concluded: "To the BBC, to my fellow Dragons past and present, to the production team, and above all to the entrepreneurs who dared to walk through those doors - thank you. It has been one of the greatest joys of my career. The fire in the Den burns on. I simply pass the torch."
Dragons' Den returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027.
