Debbie Jevans becomes first EVER female chair at Wimbledon
Wimbledon appoints first EVER female chair as Debbie Jevans succeeds Ian Hewitt in All England Lawn Tennis Club role… with the former London 2012 and 2015 Rugby World Cup chief set to take over after this summer’s Championships
- Debbie Jevans will be appointed as the first ever female chair of Wimbledon
- She beat Kevin Havelock in the race to succeed current chairman Ian Hewitt
- The 62-year-old previously made the fourth round of the competition in 1979
Wimbledon appoints its first female Chair in history with the appointment of former British player Debbie Jevans.
She is to become the Vice-Chair before taking over from the outgoing Ian Hewitt when he steps down after this summer’s Championships.
Jevans has won out in the race to succeed him over businessman Kevin Havelock and the decision was officially announced by Wimbledon on Thursday.
Debbie Jevans (L) will become the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s first ever female chair
The 62 year-old was a prominent British player around the late seventies and made the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1979, as well as representing GB in team competitions.
After retiring she went into sports administration and has had a number of positions across different sports. These include working for the International Tennis Federation, the London Olympics, the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the EFL.
She does not come in at an easy time for one of the country’s most iconic institutions. The Club has still not resolved the issue of being deducted points for its banning of Russian and Belarussian players last summer, with the potential of it happening all over again.
Current chair Ian Hewitt said that Jevans comes into the role with a ‘valuable combination of skills’
Jevans reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1979 and represented Great Britain in team competitions
There is also the complex planning permission they are trying to secure for the expansion into a neighbouring golf course, which has met with widespread opposition from the local community.
Ian Hewitt said: ‘Debbie has a valuable combination of skills and experience gained over a long career in sport, both as a former professional tennis player and through a number of leadership roles within high-profile sports organisations as well as her many years of service on the Club Committee.
‘This equips her well for the role and I look forward, as planned, to handing over as Chair after The Championships 2023 and wish Debbie all success as we continue with our ambitions.’
She previously served as chief executive for the 2015 Rugby World Cup as well as the director of sports for London 2012
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