Dragons' Den star stepping back from role at crafting company

FORMER Dragons' Den Sara Davies is stepping back from her day-to-day role at North East firm Crafter's Companion after leading a rescue for the company last year.

- COREENA FORD Business writer [e-mail]

The entrepreneur and TV presenter returned to the County Durham firm in December after it came close to collapse.

Working with investment group Modella, she kept the firm going and saved most of its jobs. Now Modella has sold its holding in the company to Maven Capital Partners, with Ms Davies increasing her shareholding in the company.

But she has stepped away from day-to-day management of the company after appointing former CBI regional director Diane Sharp as managing director. Ms Davies will continue to have strategic overview at the firm and will still be a director.

Ms Davies hopes investment from the new owners will spark growth at the firm, though she revealed changes in the business environment, including US tariffs, have presented challenges.