Hilary Devey
Hilary Lorraine Devey CBE (née Brewster; 10 March 1957 – 11 June 2022) was an English businesswoman and television personality best known for founding Pall-Ex, a palletized freight network, and for her role as one of the "dragons" on the BBC Two programme Dragons' Den from 2011 to 2012. After leaving Dragons' Den, she presented several programmes for Channel 4 including The Intern and Running the Shop.
Devey made her fortune by identifying an opportunity in the freight industry and building Pall-Ex into one of the UK's largest palletized distribution networks. Her distinctive appearance, outspoken personality, and working-class background made her a memorable television presence, though her time on Dragons' Den lasted only two series before she moved to Channel 4.
She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to the transport industry and charity. Devey died on 11 June 2022 at her holiday home in Marrakesh, Morocco, following a long illness.
Early life
Childhood and family
Hilary Lorraine Brewster was born on 10 March 1957 in Bolton, Lancashire, in the north of England. Her early life was marked by hardship that would later inform both her business approach and her public persona.
When she was seven years old, Devey witnessed the traumatic results of her father's bankruptcy. Her father had owned a central heating company that failed, and young Hilary watched as bailiffs removed furniture and household goods from the family home. This formative experience of financial disaster and humiliation left deep impressions that drove her later determination to succeed.
Following the bankruptcy, her father earned a living managing pubs and hotels, providing a more modest but stable income for the family. Growing up in this environment gave Devey exposure to the hospitality business and the challenges of running service establishments.
Education and military service
Devey left school at the age of sixteen, forgoing further formal education in favor of entering the workforce. Her decision reflected the limited educational expectations for working-class women of her generation and her desire to become financially independent.
After leaving school, Devey served briefly in the Women's Royal Air Force, working in air traffic control and the supply accounts department. She was stationed at RAF Brize Norton, one of the largest RAF stations in the UK. The military experience provided discipline and exposure to logistics—skills that would later prove relevant to her business career.
Following her RAF service, Devey moved to London to pursue opportunities in the capital.
Career
Early business career
After leaving the military, Devey developed her career in the transport and logistics industry, gaining expertise that would eventually lead to the founding of Pall-Ex.
Pall-Ex
Founding
In 1996, Devey founded Pall-Ex, a palletized freight network that would become her signature business achievement. Pall-Ex was the third palletized goods distribution network to be launched in the UK, following the model pioneered by Palletline in 1992.
The business was based on the well-established hub-and-spoke express parcels distribution model, adapted for palletized goods. This model involves collecting pallets from multiple sources, consolidating them at a central hub, sorting them, and distributing them to their final destinations through a network of delivery partners.
Business growth
Pall-Ex grew to become a major player in the UK logistics industry. The company handles around 8,000 palletized consignments through its Leicestershire hub each day and has over 90 network members who provide collection and delivery services in their local areas.
By 2021, Pall-Ex had a turnover of £92.1 million, up from £76.6 million in 2020. Gross profits in 2021 were £10.9 million, demonstrating the business's profitability and resilience.
Business model innovation
Pall-Ex's success came from applying network economics to the freight industry. Rather than trying to build a national delivery fleet, the company created a network of independent members who shared resources and infrastructure, creating efficiencies that benefited all participants.
This collaborative model allowed smaller freight companies to compete with larger players by pooling their resources through the Pall-Ex network.
Television career
The Secret Millionaire
In 2008, Devey appeared on The Secret Millionaire, a reality show in which wealthy individuals live among disadvantaged communities, concealing their wealth before revealing themselves and making donations.
On the show, Devey donated more than £70,000 to the Back Door Music Project and the Syke Community Centre in Rochdale. The appearance demonstrated her commitment to charitable giving and her ability to connect with people from disadvantaged backgrounds similar to her own childhood.
The Business Inspector
In March 2010, Devey presented The Business Inspector for Channel 5, a four-part documentary series in which she used her business expertise to help transform struggling small businesses into successful, profitable companies.
Dragons' Den
Joining the show
In February 2011, Devey joined the panel of the BBC Two programme Dragons' Den following the departure of James Caan. Her working-class background and outspoken personality provided a different dynamic from other dragons.
Den investments
During her time on the show, Devey evaluated numerous pitches and made investments in several businesses. Her expertise in logistics and her experience building Pall-Ex made her particularly valuable for evaluating distribution-related businesses.
Departure
Devey announced in June 2012 that she would be leaving Dragons' Den after signing an exclusive two-year agreement with Channel 4. She departed alongside fellow Dragon Theo Paphitis, and they were replaced by Kelly Hoppen and Piers Linney.
Her relatively brief time on Dragons' Den—just two series—was nonetheless memorable, establishing her television profile and leading to subsequent presenting opportunities.
Hilary Devey's Women at the Top
In September 2012, Devey presented her final programme for BBC Two, a mini-series called Hilary Devey's Women at the Top. The programme, a joint Open University and BBC Two production, examined the challenges facing women in business leadership.
Channel 4 programmes
The Intern
In April 2013, after moving to Channel 4, Devey began hosting The Intern, a business documentary in which she gave three young interns a week's trial in the job of their dreams. The first three episodes were aired in the Thursday 9 pm time slot, but a significant drop in ratings led to the final three episodes being moved to Wednesday nights at 11 pm.
Running the Shop
On 9 June 2015, Running the Shop began airing on Channel 4. Announced by Devey on 3 April 2014, the show focused on retail business challenges.
Loose Women
On 18 June 2015, Devey made her debut as a guest panellist on the ITV lunchtime chat show Loose Women, becoming an occasional panellist from 4 September that year. However, she departed the show on 9 November, ending her association with the programme.
Philanthropy and charitable work
Penny a Pallet
Devey operated a charitable scheme called "Penny a Pallet" through Pall-Ex, donating one penny for each pallet distributed by the network. Over time, this scheme generated significant charitable contributions while maintaining a direct connection between business operations and giving.
Carers Trust
Devey became vice-president of Carers Trust in 2012, supporting the charity's work to help people who provide unpaid care for family members or friends.
Stroke Association
She became a patron of the Stroke Association in 2010, lending her profile to support awareness and research into stroke prevention and treatment.
Honours and awards
CBE
Devey was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to the transport industry and charity. The honour recognized both her business achievements in building Pall-Ex and her philanthropic activities.
Academic honours
- Honorary Doctorate of Law: University of Leicester (2010) for services to industry
- Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration: University of Bolton (July 2012) for services to business
- Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration: University of Wolverhampton (16 April 2014)
Industry awards
- Vitalise Woman of the Year Award (2008)
- Sir Robert Lawrence Award for Lifetime Achievement: Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (2009)
- Personality of the Year: International Freight Weekly Awards (2010)
British Citizen Awards
Devey was an ambassador of the British Citizen Awards, a bi-annual ceremony rewarding everyday individuals for their contributions to society.
Personal life
Family
Devey was married and divorced three times. She had one son named Mevlit, who she said in 2013 had successfully overcome drug addiction. The challenges with her son's addiction were among the personal difficulties she faced alongside her business success.
Residences
Over her life, Devey owned multiple properties:
- Near Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
- Boylestone, Derbyshire (later residence)
- A house in London
- Villas in Morocco, Spain, and Boca Raton, Florida
- A mansion in Florida which she sold in 2014 for £5.42 million
The multiple properties reflected both her business success and her enjoyment of luxury living after her working-class upbringing.
Family revelations
On 28 October 2012, whilst appearing on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Devey shared a story about her mother's discovery, years into her relationship with Devey's father, that he already had a wife and four children. Devey also revealed that her ex-partner was similarly already married with five children when she discovered the truth.
Health
Devey faced health challenges in her later years. She died on 11 June 2022 at her holiday home in Marrakesh, Morocco, following a long illness. She was 65 years old.
COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Devey lost both her brother and sister to the virus, joining countless families affected by the pandemic.
Death
Hilary Devey died on 11 June 2022 at her holiday home in Marrakesh, Morocco. She had been suffering from a long illness. Her death was announced by her family and confirmed by her management.
Tributes poured in from the business and television communities, with former Dragons' Den colleagues and business contacts sharing memories of her distinctive personality and achievements.
Legacy
Hilary Devey's legacy encompasses several dimensions:
In logistics: Pall-Ex demonstrated that network-based business models could succeed in the freight industry, creating a template that others have followed.
In women's business leadership: Devey's working-class background and gender made her an unusual figure in the male-dominated transport industry. Her success provided representation for women considering careers in logistics and business leadership.
In television: Her appearances on Dragons' Den and subsequent programmes brought business concepts to mainstream audiences. Her distinctive personality—outspoken, glamorous, and unmistakably northern—made her a memorable television presence.
In philanthropy: Her Penny a Pallet scheme and charitable patronages demonstrated ongoing commitment to giving back to communities.
As a survivor: Her story of recovering from witnessing childhood bankruptcy to building a successful business resonated with many viewers and readers who faced their own challenges.
Published works
- Bold as Brass: My Story (2012): London, Macmillan, ISBN 978-0-230-76593-1
Her autobiography chronicled her journey from working-class Bolton to building Pall-Ex and becoming a television personality.
See also
References