Hilary Devey CBE is a leading British businesswoman, investor and professional business speaker. She is perhaps best known for her two-year stint on the BBC 2 show, Dragons’ Den.
Born and raised in Bolton, Hilary experienced hardship from an early age when, as a seven-year-old, she witnessed bailiffs removing furniture and household goods from the family home after her father became bankrupt.
Devey made her fortune launching Pall-Ex of which she is CEO and chair, a palletised freight network, operating since 1996. Only the third palletised goods distribution network to be launched in the UK, it was based on the well-established 'hub and spoke' express parcels distribution model. Pall-Ex handles around 10,000 palletised consignments through its Leicestershire hub each day and has annual revenues of approximately £75m, highlighting Hilary's considerable business acumen.
As well as appearing on Dragons' Den, Hilary has featured in numerous TV shows including in Secret Millionaire, The Intern, Running the Shop and The Business Inspector. In 2015 she made her appearance on the ITV lunchtime chat show Loose Women and became an occasional panellist.
Hilary, an ambassador of the British Citizen Awards, has won numerous awards in recognition for her contribution transport and charity. She was awarded the Vitalise Woman of the Year Award 2008 and a year later she received the Sir Robert Lawrence Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. She was appointed to the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), in the 2013 Birthday Honours. Hilary also received an honorary Doctorate from the University of Leicester, the University of Bolton and the University of Wolverhampton. Devey campaigns for various charities including Carers Trust, of which she became vice-president in 2012.
Outside from her business ventures, Hilary’s tale is one of overcoming adversity and hardship to climb and remain at the top of her field. She suffered a stroke in 2009 after having an abdominoplasty operation, was involved in helping her son overcome a seven-year drug addiction, and endured the trauma of finding out that both her father and her ex-partner were both married to other women and had children.
Hilary is an expert corporate keynote speaker for event and conferences, proof that hardships in life need not thwart a person’s drive and opportunity to reach the top.
