Former Dragons’ Den star Hilary Devey has died at the age of 65.

The English businesswoman and entrepreneur died in Morocco on Saturday following a long illness, her PR agent confirmed on Sunday.

Ms Devey was made an OBE in 2013 for services to the transport industry and to charity.

She was known for appearing on the long-running BBC investing show Dragons’ Den before leaving to present the Channel 4 series The Intern.

Fellow ‘Dragon’ Theo Paphitis paid tribute to Ms Devey, saying: “So sad to hear of the passing of the lovely Hilary Devey.

“She left us all with some fantastic memories, may she rest in peace. My thoughts are with her family.”

Ms Devey made her fortune launching Pall-Ex, a palletised freight network, which grew into an international network with a combined turnover of over £100m.

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She appeared on Dragons’ Den between 2011 and 2013 alongside fellow investors Peter Jones, Theo Paphitis, Duncan Bannatyne and Deborah Meaden.

Commenting on her role in 2011, Ms Devey said she was proud to “do my part” to support the next generation of UK entrepreneurs “at a time when the banks are failing to invest in British small businesses”.

She added: “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.”

Ms Devey also campaigned for various charities including serving as vice president of The Carers Trust, as well as being a patron for The Stroke Association and Fresh Start – New Beginnings.

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