Manchester United legend-turned-businessman Gary Neville will appear on Dragons’ Den next year.
Guest Dragons Neville and US-based fashion mogul Emma Grede, who was born in the UK, will join regulars Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett in series 21.
Filming is currently taking place in Manchester.
Having started out as a property developer whilst playing for Manchester United in his early 20s, Neville has built a business portfolio that spans property, hospitality, education, media and sport.
His Stock Exchange Hotel is one of the top hotels in Manchester, University UA92 is disrupting a traditional model in education and his St. Michael’s project is one of the landmark property developments in Manchester City Centre.
“I am excited to join the Dragons, and to meet the entrepreneurs brave enough to face us in the Den,” said Neville. “I hope my personal journey shows that you can take the experiences you’ve had in one part of your career and use them to do something entirely different and make it a success.
“Business is all about managing people and managing yourself and I’m looking forward to sharing my experience to help the entrepreneurs we’ll meet in the Den reach their potential.”
Samantha Davies, executive producer, commented: “For the first time in the show’s 21 series there will be a sixth chair in the Den as we welcome our first guest Dragons. And what better additions to our established line-up than business juggernauts Emma Grede and Gary Neville.
“Emma brings a wide-range of knowledge and experience in international business, and Gary is a great example of someone who took an alternative route into commerce and used his unique skillset to grow a successful portfolio of companies.
“They’re an exciting addition to the Den for both the programme and the entrepreneurs who’ll get the opportunity to pitch to them.”