Sara Davies

Sara Davies
Name	Sara Davies
Birth date	1984
Birth place	County Durham, England
Occupation	Entrepreneur, television personality, author
Known for	Crafter's Companion, Dragons' Den

Sara Davies is a British entrepreneur, television personality, and author best known for founding Crafter's Companion and appearing as an investor on the BBC series Dragons' Den. She built a global craft-supplies business from a small start-up in County Durham and has become a prominent advocate for small and medium-sized enterprises across the United Kingdom, engaging with media, industry bodies, and education initiatives.

Early life and education

Born in County Durham, Davies grew up in the North East of England near Durham, England and attended local schools before pursuing higher education at Newcastle University where she studied chemistry. During her time at university she combined academic studies with early entrepreneurial experiments influenced by regional business networks such as North East England Chamber of Commerce and local enterprise support programs. Her scientific training intersected with practical craft-making, a background that later informed product development and innovation strategies used at Crafter's Companion.

Career

Davies launched Crafter's Companion in the mid-2000s, developing craft tools, die-cutting systems, and hobby supplies marketed through retail partnerships, television shopping channels, and e-commerce platforms like QVC and international distributors across United States, Australia, and Germany. She scaled the company from a garage-based operation to a multi-million-pound enterprise by leveraging trade shows including Spring Fair and Hobbycraft retail relationships, integrating manufacturing partnerships and overseas supply chains in China. Crafter's Companion expanded its product portfolio through in-house design teams, collaborations with craft influencers, and licensing arrangements modeled after consumer-goods firms such as Hasbro and Mattel. Davies also authored business and craft guidance, drawing on mentorship from organizations including Institute of Directors and engagement with investment networks.

Dragons' Den and public profile

In 2019 Davies joined the cast of BBC Two's Dragons' Den, becoming one of the youngest investors on the programme and appearing alongside established entrepreneurs like Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden. Her television role elevated her public profile, generating media coverage in outlets such as BBC News and national newspapers, and led to speaking appearances at events hosted by London Stock Exchange Group and other business forums. Davies has used the platform to promote female entrepreneurship, small-business growth, and regional manufacturing, participating in panels with figures from Department for Business and Trade initiatives and non-profit bodies such as Prince's Trust.

Personal life

Davies resides in Northumberland and balances business responsibilities with family life; she has been featured in lifestyle coverage alongside profiles of entrepreneurs who maintain regional ties, including entrepreneurs from Newcastle upon Tyne and the broader North East England business community. Her personal interests include craft design, product innovation, and mentoring start-ups through local incubators and accelerator programmes linked to institutions like Durham University and regional development agencies.

Philanthropy and business advocacy

Davies is active in philanthropy and advocacy for small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting training and skills programmes with organizations such as Prince's Trust and regional enterprise partnerships. She has backed initiatives to improve entrepreneurial education in schools and colleges, engaging with stakeholders from City of London Corporation events and business education campaigns with groups like Young Enterprise. Davies has also contributed to charity craft initiatives and fundraising campaigns tied to national charities including BBC Children in Need and regional hospices, and she participates in mentorship schemes run by trade bodies such as Federation of Small Businesses.

Awards and recognition

Davies has received multiple awards acknowledging entrepreneurship and innovation, including industry accolades from trade bodies like Giftware Association and regional business awards recognizing export growth and female leadership. She has been profiled in business lists and invited to industry roundtables alongside leaders from British Chambers of Commerce and high-profile entrepreneurs, reflecting recognition by peers and media for her role in scaling a UK manufacturing and retail brand.

Category:British businesspeople Category:People from County Durham