In this exclusive interview, we speak with Jenny Campbell – renowned entrepreneur, speaker and former Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den. With a career that began on the banking floor at just 16 years old, Jenny has since carved out an extraordinary path, transforming the cash machine business Hanco into the extraordinarily successful YourCash and earning national recognition as one of the UK’s most inspirational businesswomen. Her straight-
talking style and sharp eye for opportunity made her a standout figure on Dragons’ Den, where she not only backed bold ideas but also helped shape the next generation of entrepreneurs. Today, Jenny remains a formidable voice in the business world, drawing on decades of experience to advise, invest and inspire.
Throughout the interview, Jenny reflects on the pivotal moments that defined her career, including the decision to buy and lead her own business and the impact of mentoring young talent like Ed Hollands, founder of Driven Media. Her passion for nurturing entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her support for start-ups, her work with accelerators and her long-standing involvement with the Prince’s Trust. Jenny speaks candidly about what she looks for in an investment, often favouring raw potential and a strong work ethic over polish, and how her guidance has helped emerging business owners navigate the early stages of growth.
A vocal advocate for equality in leadership, Jenny shares her vision for a more inclusive business landscape and the practical steps needed to make that vision a reality.
Q: What are you most proud of in your career?
Jenny Campbell: “I think what I am most proud of in my career is that if I look back to when I started work in a bank, counting cash and filling cash machines at 16, I could have never foreseen where my career and business life would go! I could never have guessed that I would end up buying the business, exiting the business, and then becoming a Dragon. I could never have foreseen that. So, I think looking back, I am just proud that I have grasped every opportunity that’s either come towards me or I’ve foreseen and gone to grab it.”
Q: You invested in Ed Hollands, who created ‘Driven Media’. What attracts you to an investment?
Jenny Campbell: “So, when I invested in Ed Hollands on Dragon’s Den; Ed has the ‘Driven Media’ business, which is a very simple business in the concept of advertising on the side of lorries. What I saw in Ed when he came through the doors was a very raw young man, but someone with a lot of potential. I love investing in young entrepreneurs. I am a big supporter of entrepreneurial hubs and accelerators.
I have also done a lot of work with the Prince’s Trust, working with more disadvantaged, or less advantaged, young people, helping them to become successful either in long-term employment or as entrepreneurs. So, in Ed, I saw that raw entrepreneur that could be helped and shaped with a bit of wisdom and financial support. I was very delighted to work with Ed, and his business has continued to grow since his appearance on Dragons’ Den.”
Q: What needs to be done to get more women in the top positions in business?
Jenny Campbell: “I am a director of Women of the Year Award. I won the Businesswomen of the Year Award in 2014 and then a few years ago, I was asked by the board of WOTY – as we call it, Woman of the Year. I was asked by the board to join them to help them to basically grow this award and the impact it has on women in business and women achievers.
So, I came on to the board and almost immediately did a sort of mini strategic review where I asked: what is the purpose of this vehicle? How much money do we bring in? What does this achieve? How much surplus money do we give to charity, and how can we expand that? And since then, I have brought more sponsors to the table, which brings more money to the Women of the Year Awards. The event has grown and grown. We are giving increasing amounts to charities such as Prince’s Trust Women Supporting Women Initiative. So, it is sort of a virtuous circle of supporting women to achieve more.”
This interview with Jenny Campbell was conducted by Megan Lupton.