Debbie Hewitt MBE
Debbie Hewitt is the Non-Executive Chairman of The Football Association, Visa Europe Limited, and ComparetheMarket.com. She became the first ever elected female British Vice President of World Governing Football Body FIFA Council in April 2023 and is the Chair of Euro 2028, the Company that will deliver the UEFA Men’s Euro 2028 Football tournament . She has, in the past, also been a Non-Executive Chairman of Private Equity owned Evander Group and HPI Limited, privately owned White Stuff Limited and listed businesses The Restaurant Group plc, Moss Bros Group plc and HR Owen plc. She has also held a number of Non-Executive Director roles across a variety of different sectors. In her executive career, Debbie started as a management trainee with retailer Marks and Spencer plc and after working in a variety of different roles in the Motor Industry for Lex plc, she ultimately became the MD of RAC plc, a role that concluded in 2008, after the acquisition of RAC by Aviva. Debbie holds an MBA (distinction) from Bath University. She was awarded an MBE for services to Business and the Public Sector in the New Year Honours List in 2011 and in 2021, was awarded Chartered Companion of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (Chartered CCIPD), recognising outstanding and distinguished service to the people profession. She was awarded the Honorary Degree Doctor of Business Administration by Nottingham Trent University in 2022, in recognition of her significant contribution to Business and the Public Sector and in 2024, was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by London Business School for achieving outstanding distinction in business, commerce and public affairs. She was the first female MD of RAC plc in its 125 year history and the first female Chair of the Football Association in its 160 year history. In 2021, she was included in the Vogue 25 – British Vogue’s annual list of the UK’s most influential women and in 2023/4, she was included in the Top 50 Diversity Power List and in the Daily Telegraph Top 20 Influencers in Women’s Sport. In 2024, the Dress for Success Charity awarded her a Power of Women Award. She is married to Paul and they have 15 year old twins, Eleanor and William.
Appears in 1 Episode
Leadership
Katie and Steve talk leadership with Chair of the FA, Debbie Hewitt MBE. Debbie shares honest insights from her career journey, how she turned challenges into opportun...