Sara Davies

Sara Davies MBE (born 23 April 1984) is a British businesswoman, entrepreneur, and television personality. She is the founder and owner of Crafter’s Companion, a company she started while a student at the University of York. On 23 April 2019 it was announced that she would join the panel of Dragons' Den for its seventeenth series, replacing Jenny Campbell who decided to leave the programme in early 2019.[1]

For people named Sarah Davies, see Sarah Davies.

Sara Davies

MBE
Born (1984-04-23) 23 April 1984
Coundon, County Durham, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materUniversity of York
OccupationBusinesswoman
Television personality
Entrepreneur
Years active2005–present
Known forDragons' Den (2019–present)
Net worth£37 million
TitleFounder of Crafters Companion
Spouse(s)
Simon Davies
​
(m. 2007)​
Children2
Websitecrafterscompanion.co.uk

Early life

Davies was born in Coundon, County Durham, England in 1984.[2] She graduated from the University of York with a first class business degree in 2006.[3]

Career

Davies founded Crafter's Companion, a crafter's supply company, whilst at university in 2005. During a placement at a small craft company she spotted a gap in the market for a tool that could create bespoke envelopes for handmade cards and, with help from her retired engineer father, she designed a product called The Enveloper which she launched on the TV shopping channel Ideal World, selling 30,000 units within six months. By the time she graduated the business was turning over £500,000.

As of 2019, Crafter's Companion exports to more than 40 countries worldwide. The company has a UK headquarters in Newton Aycliffe, outlets in Evesham, Chesterfield and Colne, a head office in Corona, California, and employs 200 people worldwide.[4] In 2018 the turnover of Crafter's Companion was said to be nearly £25 million.[5]

In her capacity as an entrepreneur, Davies helps women in business and offers support and guidance to businesses as part of her mentoring role with the Entrepreneurs' Forum.[6]

Television

In 2015, Davies hosted Local Television Limited's (formerly Made in Television) craft show, Be Creative.[7] On 23 April 2019, she joined BBC Two's Dragons' Den as the show's youngest ever investor. Speaking to the BBC, she said "I've been a fan of the show since it started. I was even invited to pitch on the show 13 years ago, so it feels like I’ve come a full circle."[8]

Awards and honours

Davies was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to the economy.[9]

Davies has been recognised with a number of awards for her work as an entrepreneur. In 2010 she was awarded the Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award, in 2013 she was presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year at the Shell Women of the Year Awards and she was listed in startups.co.uk’s Young Guns Entrepreneurs of the Year class of 2015.[10][11][12] She has also been the recipient of two Lloyds Bank National Business Awards: the Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year award in 2010[13] and the Outstanding Contribution to British Business Award in 2019.[14]

Personal life

Davies married her husband Simon in September 2007. The couple have two children and live in Teesside.[2][15]

References
  1. Ford, Coreena (23 April 2019). "North East entrepreneur Sara Davies joins Dragons' Den panel". Newcastle Chronicle. Reach plc. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  2. Freedman, Joanna S (23 April 2019). "Dragons Den: Millionaire mum Sara Davies becomes youngest EVER investor". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  3. Ling, Thomas. "Who is new Dragons' Den star Sara Davies? Meet the youngest ever Dragon". Radio Times.
  4. "Newton Aycliffe-based Crafter's Companion turnover at $40m". Darlington and Stockton Times. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  5. "Crafter's Companion's Sara Davies explains how she's grown her empire". Craft Business. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  6. Manning, Jonathon "Crafter's Companion founder Sara Davies rewarded with MBE" The Northern Echo, 10 June 2016. Retrieved on 10 June 2016.
  7. Ford, Coreena "Durham entrepreneur Sara Davies stars in new TV show Be Creative" The Journal, 4 January 2015. Retrieved on 4 January 2015.
  8. Chambers, Georgia (12 August 2019). "Sara Davies net worth: Who is the new Dragons' Den judge and Crafter's Companion owner?". London Evening Standard.
  9. Hugill, Steven (9 April 2019). "Chloe's Creative Cards gets TV". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  10. Morrison, Sarah "Women of the Future Awards Full Shortlist" The Independent, 22 September 2013. Retrieved on 22 September 2016.
  11. Hunsby, Megan "Sara Davies: Crafter's Companion" Startups, 17 September 2015. Retrieved on 17 September 2015.
  12. Pyrah, Lauren Sara Davies: Showing how to craft a successful business The Northern Echo, 18 June 2012. Retrieved on 18 June 2012.
  13. "Sara Davies, founder, Crafter's Companion" The Journal, 14 February 2011.
  14. "The best of British business celebrated at glittering national prize reception" The Lloyds Bank National Business Awards, 13 November 2019.
  15. Wintle, Angela (15 September 2019). "Dragon Sara Davies: 'I don't know what the other Dragons are paid. It's not the sort of subject you bring up over lunch'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
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