Hilary Devey passes away after long illness

Hilary Devey CBE, the founder of Leicestershire pallet network firm Pall-Ex and former Dragons’ Den star, has died following a long illness, aged 65.

She died in Morocco on Saturday, her PR agent confirmed over the weekend.

Devey sold Coalville-based Pall-Ex to its management team in October 2019 after building it up to a £100m+ firm from its beginnings in the 1990s.

After the deal was completed she stepped away from the day-to-day running of the business, but continued to work with the new owners in an ambassadorial role to help develop their International services and European partner development.

In the mid-2010s, Devey appeared on Dragons’ Den as a panellist, before leaving to front Channel 4 show the Internet.

Fellow Dragon, Deborah Media, said Devey was “one of a kind”, posting on Twitter: “Very sad to learn that Hilary Devey has passed away at only 65. She was unique in every way and brought grit and warmth with her into the Den. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones. RIP Hilary.”