Dragons’ Den Star Hilary Devey Leaves Entire £80 Million Fortune Unallocated in Will

 

The entrepreneur amassed her wealth through her role as CEO and Chairman of Pall-Ex, the UK’s foremost palletised freight distribution network, which boasted a substantial turnover of £100 million.

Her business acumen led to her participation on the BBC One programme alongside figures like Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden from 2011 to 2013, before her passing at the age of 65 last year.

Devey passed away on June 11, 2022 in Morocco, where she owned property. Her spokesperson stated that she had been unwell for an extended period.

One year on from her demise, which prompted an outpouring of sorrow from her Dragons’ Den colleagues and prominent figures in the business world, her probate documents have now been made public.

According to the documents, as reported by the Daily Mail, Devey, survived by her son Mevlit Brewster-Ahmet, did not allocate any of her wealth in her 2021 will.

According to the publication, it was reported that instead of leaving her large diamond cross to her friend Audrey Mulligan, Hilary Devey bequeathed it to her trustees – her son, publicist, and lawyer – with instructions to distribute her personal effects as outlined in a letter of wishes.

Following Devey’s passing, fellow Dragons including Deborah, Peter, and Duncan Bannatyne paid tribute to their co-star, describing her as ‘inspirational’.

Reflecting on her experiences both on and off-screen with Devey, Meaden took to Twitter, expressing, ‘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,’ emphasizing that she was ‘one of a kind’.

Dunan expressed his sorrow, tweeting, ‘@HilaryDevey has passed. So young. Too young. Rest in Peace Hilary. X.’ Peter also shared his condolences, stating, ‘So sad to hear the news that Hilary Devey has passed away. She was an inspiring woman and it was great to spend time with her on Dragons’ Den. Sending my deepest condolences to her family.’

Back in 2011, Devey detailed her motivation for joining the popular series, explaining, ‘In order to set-up Pall-Ex in the mid-nineties, I had to sell my house and car to get the start-up capital necessary to fulfil my business ambitions, as none of the banks appreciated my potential. I would have loved the opportunity to have stood before the Dragons, and I will remember my own experiences and the realities of running a business today, when choosing to support – or reject – the budding entrepreneurs joining me in the Den.’

While her impact on the BBC show was significant, Devey’s influence extended beyond. She made notable appearances on programmes such as Secret Millionaire, where she generously donated over £70,000 to the Back Door Music Project and the Syke Community Centre in Rochdale. Devey also featured in Channel 4’s The Intern, Channel 5’s The Business Inspector, BBC Two’s miniseries Hilary Devey’s Women at the Top, as well as ITV’s Loose Women.