Debbie Hewitt

Debbie joined the Group in September 2011 as an Independent Non-Executive Director of BGL (Holdings) Limited, the Group’s parent company. She was appointed Chair of that Board in July 2018 and became Chair of Compare the Market in June 2020.    

Debbie was previously CEO for the RAC and also currently serves as Non-Executive Chair of Visa Europe, The Football Association and Chair of Euro 2028.  She became the first elected female British Vice President of World Governing Football Body FIFA Council in 2023. She is also a member of the UK Soft Power Council, a joint initiative between the Foreign Office and DCMS, to advise on Soft Power influences on foreign policy.   

Debbie holds an MBA (distinction) from Bath University.  

She was awarded:  

• An MBE for services to Business and the Public Sector in the 2011 New Year Honours List.  

• Chartered Companion of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (Chartered CCIPD), recognising outstanding and distinguished service to the people profession, in 2021.  

• 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.  

• An Honorary Fellowship by London Business School in 2024 for achieving outstanding distinction in business, commerce and public affairs.

• Non-Executive Director of the year for Private Equity businesses, in the 2025 Sunday Times Non-Executive Director Awards.

She was the first female MD of RAC plc in its 125-year history and is the first female Chair of the Football Association in its 157-year history. In 2021, she was included in the Vogue 25 – British Vogue’s annual list of the UK’s most influential women.