Former Dragons’ Den star Julie Meyer has been stripped of her prestigious MBE, a significant consequence following her prolonged legal battles and being held in contempt of court. This high-profile development underscores the serious repercussions public figures face when failing to adhere to legal obligations, particularly concerning substantial financial commitments like an unpaid legal bill.
The venture capitalist’s MBE forfeiture comes three years after she was sharply criticized by a British judge for “selfish” conduct, having repeatedly failed to appear in court or settle her outstanding fees. Her name now appears on a newly updated list from the Cabinet Office detailing individuals stripped of their honors since August 2023, highlighting a pattern of misconduct leading to such rare official revocations.
Meyer, 58, received a six-month suspended sentence for contempt of court due to her consistent failure to submit required documents and attend hearings related to an approximate £200,000 in unpaid legal fees owed to her solicitors, Farrer & Co. This legal entanglement has severely impacted her public standing and professional reputation as a prominent figure in the entrepreneurial world.
Awarded an MBE in 2012 for her services to entrepreneurship, Julie Meyer was once a respected figure, even invited to sit on government advisory panels. Her inclusion on this infamous list, alongside individuals convicted of serious offenses and misconduct, marks a stark contrast to her previous accolades, further emphasizing the gravity of “bringing the honours system into disrepute.”
Meyer joins a notorious group of individuals recently stripped of their honors, including former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells, and others like Grime artist Wiley, convicted child sex offenders, and individuals jailed for drug dealing. This context illuminates the broad range of actions that can lead to the forfeiture of national recognition, underscoring societal standards for those bestowed with such awards.
Despite the official revocation, a notable aspect of this saga is Meyer’s continued self-styling as an MBE recipient on her various websites and LinkedIn profiles. This persistence raises questions about compliance and acknowledgment of official directives, adding another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding the Dragons Den personality.
During court proceedings, Mr. Justice Kerr characterized Meyer as a “selfish and untrustworthy person,” expressing skepticism about her future compliance with court orders unless compelled. Her defense, which claimed the law firm had “abused their privileged position as the Queen’s lawyers,” was evidently insufficient to sway the judge, leading to the severe judgment and subsequent stripping of her MBE.
Originally an American-born businesswoman, Meyer moved to London in 1998 and achieved significant success, including millions from the $50 million sale of her firm, First Tuesday. Despite her entrepreneurial successes and past recognition as a World Economic Forum Global Leader, this legal bill dispute has overshadowed her prior achievements, illustrating a dramatic fall from grace for the venture capitalist.
