Logistics Queen Awarded CBE
Hilary Devey, founder and CEO of European palletised freight network Pall-Ex has been awarded a CBE as part of The Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The honour has been awarded to Hilary in recognition of her work for both charity and the logistics sector.
In 1996, Hilary famously sold her house and car to fund her business idea for a more efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective method for moving small consignments of freight. Pall-Ex has helped to change the face of logistics in the UK and, with a rapid European expansion programme underway, is now doing the same on the continent too.
Alongside her own business, Hilary works hard to support many charities. Amongst her numerous charity roles, she isvice president of The Carers Trust and has donated thousands to the cause via Pall-Ex’s Penny-A-Pallet scheme.
In her television roles, Hilary has helped a number of charities on Secret Millionaire, given financial backing and advice to entrepreneurs on Dragons’ Den and tackled the issue of youth unemployment on The Intern.
Commenting on the announcement, Hilary said:
“In every sense of the word, this is a great honour and I am equally flattered and flabbergasted.
“It is wonderful to receive such recognition, but this should be less about me, and more about the charities that I support and the amazing transport sector in which I am privileged to work. So I dedicate my honour to The Carers Trust, The Stroke Association, and Fresh Start - New Beginnings and the other charities that I have tried to support, as well as to the lorry drivers, forklift truck drivers and everyone else who works in the logistics sector: the unsung heroes of British industry.”
Amongst the first to congratulate Hilary was Adrian Russell, managing director of the Pall-Ex Group:
“I’m lucky enough to have shared Hilary’s journey with her and was there at the beginning when Pall-Ex started life in an old aircraft hangar with no running water or electricity.
“You meet some people in life and you just know that they’re destined to make an impact and Hilary is certainly one of those individuals.
“The impact she has made has been far reaching. Not only has shehelped revolutionise the way freight is delivered in this country, and is now starting to do the same across Europe, she has also dedicated many hours to helping others by supporting causes close to her heart.
“She is more than deserving of a CBE and I know that the entire Pall-Ex Group, both in the UK and across the continent, welcomes the news.”
Hilary joins a host of other famous faces and hard working members of the public on The Queen’s Birthday Honours List and will officially receive her CBE at Buckingham Palace later this year.