Steve Parish has today announced that he will no longer be taking part as a Dragon on hit BBC Two series Dragons’ Den. He is to be replaced by CEO of the Vitabiotics empire, Tej Lalvani. 

On his decision to step down, Steve says: “On reflection, I have come to the conclusion that I couldn’t give Dragons’ Den the time and commitment the show needs and that the entrepreneurs deserve, therefore I have decided to give up my Dragons’ seat to someone else.”

Tej Lalvani says: “I’m very excited to be joining the Dragons’ Den line-up. I’m a shrewd investor and I’m looking forward to finding hard working, passionate people to share my business experience and knowledge with.”

Tej will take his seat for the 15th series of Dragons’ Den alongside returning Dragons Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and new Dragon Jenny Campbell.

Dragons’ Den is produced by BBC Studios, the BBC’s main TV production arm. Filming for the new series begins this month and the show will return to BBC Two later in the year.

Tej Lalvani biography

Vitabiotics is the largest vitamin company in the UK by value sales with a current group turnover of over £300 million a year. Tej is the CEO of the company which was founded in 1971 by his scientist father Professor Kartar Lalvani who remains the company’s Chairman. Over the last 20 years Tej has grown the business into one of the leading and most innovative nutrition companies in the UK.

Through hands on experience in all departments of the business from driving fork lifts to his current role as CEO Tej’s key goal and vision is to build Vitabiotics into the largest specialist vitamin company in the world.

Under Tej’s leadership Vitabiotics has expanded to its current size where its products are sold in over 100 countries worldwide and produces many of the UK’s number one selling vitamins including Wellwoman, Wellman, Perfectil and Pregnacare. The company has also been awarded Boots’ Supplier of the Year award and the Queen’s Award for Innovation.