About

Richard Farleigh was born into poverty in the Australian outback as one of 11 children and was sent to a foster home in Sydney at an early age. The traumatic experiences saw him assessed as backward at school. Years later he studied economics and mathematics with a scholarship from Australia’s central bank, before managing a derivatives desk, a proprietary trading desk, and a hedge fund in the 1980s and early 90s. His focus at that time was on predicting big picture trends and the effects on the currency and interest rate markets. In the mid-1990’s he semi-retired and has since operated as a “business angel” backing more early-stage companies than anyone else in the United Kingdom. Many of these more than 75 unquoted companies have successfully floated on the market or have been acquired. Highlights include Home House, Net-a-Porter and Reggae Reggae Sauce. His appearances on Dragons’ Den earned him the moniker “Mr. Nice” as he became reportedly its most popular panellist ever, offering constructive advice and the many offers for investment. His book Taming the Lion, written without a ghost writer, has received over 50 favourable media reviews, and been released in many languages worldwide. Richard is also a Chess Master and has competed at two Chess Olympics. His story is a tail of rags to riches, the highs and lows of business and of sadness and hilarity.