Entrepreneur Touker Suleyman quits BBC’s Dragons’ Den

Entrepreneur Touker Suleyman has announced he is leaving BBC business show Dragons’ Den.Suleyman, 72, who owns UK shirtmaker Hawes And Curtis and fashion label Ghost, has been a dragon on the programme, in which contestants pitch to entrepreneurs known as “dragons” for investment in their businesses, since 2015.In a post on Instagram, Suleyman said: “After ten extraordinary years as a dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, I have made the decision to step down from the show.“It has been an immense privilege to sit in that chair, to meet so many passionate and talented entrepreneurs and to invest in business and people I truly believed in. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TOUKER SULEYMAN (@touker_suleyman)“The show gave me a platform not only to invest in leading British founders and companies but to share hard-won wisdom built over decades in business – and I hope that, in some small way, I made a difference to those who stood opposite me.“At 72, I find myself reflecting on what matters most.“I am proud of every deal made, every pitch challenged and every founder I had the honour of backing. But 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.“Fans of the series can still catch me in action one last time – my final episodes will be airing later this year.”Suleyman said he hoped fans would enjoy the last shows of his “truly memorable” time on the programme, and added that his departure will “give me more time mentor the entrepreneurs I have invested in, and to give back the 50 years of business experience I have accumulated”.He added: “If I can help the next generation avoid the pitfalls I’ve faced, seize the opportunities I almost missed and build businesses they are truly proud of, then that will be the most rewarding chapter of my career yet.“To the BBC, to my fellow dragons past and present, to the production team and above all to the entrepreneurs