Hilary Devey was born on 10 March 1957 in Bolton, Lancashire, England. Her early life was shaped by financial hardship after her father’s business went bankrupt, which influenced her determination to succeed.

She left school at 16 and briefly worked in the Women’s Royal Air Force before entering the business world. Over time, she gained experience in distribution and logistics, working for companies such as TNT before starting her own venture.

In 1996, she founded Pall-Ex, a palletised freight network that became a major UK logistics company. Her success made her a multimillionaire and a respected entrepreneur.

Devey joined Dragons’ Den on BBC Two in 2011, where she invested in businesses and became known for her direct approach. She later moved to Channel 4, presenting shows such as The Intern and Running the Shop.

She lived in the UK and abroad, with homes in multiple countries. Hilary Devey passed away on 11 June 2022 in Morocco at age 65.