Bolton-born Hilary Devey is an entrepreneur, commentator, and award-winning businesswoman who, by launching Pall-Ex, not only created a business network that now commands revenues of £100 million, but revolutionised the pallet distribution industry in the UK.

Prior to the launch of Pall-Ex in 1996, it was difficult to transport small consignments of palletised freight quickly and cost-effectively across the UK. However, despite initially being unable to secure backing and having to sell her house and car to find the £112,000 needed to fund the operation, Devey implemented a business model that has now become the industry standard.

Today, Pall-Ex brings together dozens of independent regional hauliers within the Pall-Ex network. Its HQ and main hub – located near Coalville in Leicestershire – receives as many as 17,000 pallets of goods a day, filling up to 350 lorries which then transport the freight to regional depots throughout the country. From there, approximately 100 of Pall-Ex’s member hauliers share the delivery of goods to their final destination, including Asda supermarkets, making huge savings in duplication and transportation of pallets.

In 2011, to take advantage of its existing transportation experience, Pall-Ex is planning to launch a national courier and package delivery firm for the corporate market called Pronto Sameday Couriers.

Pall-Ex European Expansion
Pall-Ex is currently expanding into Europe, with networks in Italy already in place and launches planned for the Iberian Peninsula (from April 2011); Poland, Benelux, Germany and France over the next five years.

Hilary Devey – Charity Work, Awards and TV Projects
Hilary has had regular appearances on UK TV, and in 2008 appeared on Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire programme, visiting the Falinge estate in Rochdale and donating more than £100,000 to a local hospice and community centre.

As a keen campaigner for entrepreneurship in all of its forms, Devey has recently utilised her media presence to support a number of campaigns to develop entrepreneurialism in the UK. As a consequence of her work as Channel 5’s Business Inspector, Devey has invested in a company which specialises in the creation of unique decorations for weddings and corporate events called Wow Table Art.

Her shrewd business acumen has seen her picked to star in the latest series of BBC 2’s hit show Dragons’ Den which will return later this year.

Hilary has been the recipient of a number of leading industry awards, including the 2007 Ernst & Young UK Entrepreneur Award and the NatWest Everywoman award in 2008, as well as being voted the Vitalise Businesswoman of the Year twice (in 2004 and 2008). In 2009, Hilary made history as the first ever woman to be presented with the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport’s most prestigious accolade, the Sir Robert Lawrence Award. In 2010, Hilary Devey was made an honorary Doctor of Laws at the University of Leicester.

Hilary is sought as an inspiring motivational speaker by major corporate firms and networking organisations, recently addressing conferences and events staged by Credit Suisse, T-Mobile, and The Entrepreneurs Forum.

Devey also campaigns tirelessly for various charities including The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, for whom she became a patron in 2007. Devey launched the Penny-A-Pallet scheme, which sees a charitable contribution made for every Pall-Ex pallet processed. Devey is also an ardent campaigner for the improvement of drug rehabilitation in the UK following her experiences with her son Mevlit, a recovering addict.

Hilary’s principal residence is Rangemore Hall in Staffordshire, and she has properties in London, Marrakesh, and Spain.

Awards

2010

Recognised for her contribution to business in Leicestershire Hilary received an honorary degree from the University of Leicester

IFW: Freight Personality of the Year

2009

The CILT Awards for Excellence: Sir Robert Lawrence Award

The Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber

Enterprising Women Excellence Awards: Inspirational Woman of the Year Award

The East Midlands Development Agency Women of Worth Awards: Businesswoman of the Year 2009

2008

Leicestershire Business Awards, Contribution to the Community – Finalists

Leicestershire Business Awards, Investing in Leicestershire Category– Finalists

International Freighting Weekly Awards, Road Freight Operator of the Year – Finalists

International Freighting Weekly Awards, Supply Chain Award - Finalists

2007

Times Online/Bank of Scotland, Entrepreneur Challenge – Finalists

National Business Awards, Regional Winner, Entrepreneur of the Year – Hilary Devey

Chamber Awards, Business of the Year – Regional Winner

National Business Awards, Business of the Year - Highly Commended

Leicestershire Business Awards, Business of the Year – Winner

Leicestershire Business Awards, Entrepreneur of the Year – Finalist - Hilary Devey

International Freighting Weekly, Environmental Award – Finalist

Prowess Awards, Inspirational Women – Winner - Hilary Devey

Ernst & Young Award, Southern Regional and overall UK Entrepreneur of the Year – Winner - Hilary Devey

2006

First Woman Awards, Business Services – Winner – Hilary Devey

Veuve Clicquot, Business Woman of the Year Award – Finalist – Hilary Devey

UK Warehousing Association, Technology and Innovation – Winner

The Chamber Awards, Entrepreneur of the Year – Regional Winner East Midlands - Hilary Devey

International Freighting Weekly, Information Technology – Highly Commended

National Business Awards, Innovation of the Year Award – Finalist

National Business Awards, Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Finalist - Hilary Devey

Growing Business Awards, Entrepreneur of the Year – Finalist - Hilary Devey

Growing Business Awards, Technology in Business – Winner

2005

Women of Achievement Awards, Business Woman of the Year – Winner – Hilary Devey

First Women Awards – Finalist – Hilary Devey

Leicestershire Business Awards, Business Personality of the Year – Winner - Hilary Devey

Leicestershire Business Awards, Enterprise through Innovation – Finalist

Leicestershire Business Awards, Business of the Year – Finalist

Veuve Clicquot, Business Woman of the Year Award – Finalist - Hilary Devey

2004

Midlands Business Woman Award – Winner - Hilary Devey

Institute of Logistics and Transport Annual Awards for Excellence, Information Management Award – Finalist

Institute of Transport Management, European Distributor of the Year - Finalist

Institute of Transport Management, European Transport & Distribution Company – Winner

Motor Transport, Supply Chain Award – Winner

Motor Transport, Environmental Award – Highly Commended

Motor Transport, Warehouse Innovation Award – Winner

2003

Institute of Transport Management, International Transport Services Company - Winner

2002

Institute of Transport Management, Jubilee Roll of Honour – Winner

2001

Institute of Transport Management, Award of Excellence – Winner

1999

Institute of Transport Management, Award of Excellence – Winner

1998

Midlands Today Newspaper, Distribution Company of the Year – Winner

1997

Institute of Transport Management, Award of Excellence - Winner

Award winning Entrepreneur and Business Speaker Hilary Devey the inspirational Founder, Chief Executive and Chairman of The Pall-Ex Group is a hugely inspirational figure who has overcome huge hurdles in both her personal and business life.

Testimonial

"Hilary Devey recently spoke for us at a conference for 120 owner/managers of small and medium sized B2B supplies companies. The audience were enthralled by her presentation in which she highlighted her personal journey from childhood, through the trials and tribulations of starting and building a business, to her position today as a highly successful entrepreneur and TV personality. The audience felt Hilary was one of their own, and were inspired to believe that they too had the opportunity to achieve what she has. It was a tribute to her empathy and natural, witty approach."

VOW Conference - Isle of Man

"If you want a business speaker who can really move an audience, speak from experience and leave the conference delegates motivated and inspired, Hilary Devey is your speaker; she captivated our audience of 300 and had a standing ovation - a rare sight. Unreservedly recommended."

Jonathan Jay - Chairman - The Nationwide Alliance of Business Owners

I am writing to thannk you so much for being the key note speaker at our 25th Big Birthday Message conference. The talk was simply inspirational and magnificent; you connected with every person in the room. I am so grateful to you for giving up your time for Llamau and please accept my sincere thanks for making our 25th Birthday Message the resounding success it was.

Chief Executive - Llamau