Introduction
Roger Devlin is a British business leader best known as the chairman of Persimmon PLC and the chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
His career connects UK housebuilding, betting, leisure, hospitality, sport governance and horse racing. He is not a celebrity figure, but his board roles make him an important name in British business.
Quick Profile
| Field | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Roger William Devlin |
| Professional Name | Roger Devlin |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | August 1957 |
| Age | 68 years old as of July 2026 |
| Nationality | British |
| Country of Residence | United Kingdom |
| Profession | Business leader, chairman and company director |
| Known For | Chairman of Persimmon PLC and chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board |
| Education | Manchester Grammar School and Wadham College, Oxford |
| Degree | MA in Law from the University of Oxford |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Children | Two daughters |
| Current Major Role | Chairman of Persimmon PLC |
| Public Appointment | Chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board |
Who Is Roger Devlin?
Roger Devlin is an experienced British chairman with a long record in corporate leadership.
Companies House lists him as Roger William Devlin, born in August 1957, British, resident in the United Kingdom, and appointed as a director of Persimmon Public Limited Company on 1 June 2018.
He is mainly known today for leading the board of Persimmon, one of the UK’s major housebuilding companies.
Readers who follow UK boardroom stories can also explore Newstrap’s business and entrepreneurship section.
Roger Devlin Age and Nationality
Roger Devlin was born in August 1957.
That makes him 68 years old as of July 2026.
His nationality is British, and official company records show his country of residence as the United Kingdom.
Education Background
He was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Wadham College, Oxford.
Persimmon’s official board profile also says he has an MA in Law from the University of Oxford.
This legal and academic background later supported his move into corporate finance, governance and board leadership.
Early Career
Devlin’s executive career included senior work at Hill Samuel and Hilton/Ladbrokes.
GOV.UK says he was a director of merchant bankers Hill Samuel from 1978 to 1993 and Hilton International from 1994 to 2008.
This gave him experience in finance, hospitality, leisure and betting before he became widely known as a board chairman.
Persimmon Chairman Role
Roger Devlin is the chairman of Persimmon PLC.
Persimmon says he was independent on appointment and has business, leadership and governance experience across corporate finance, gaming, leisure, pubs and brewing, sport and transport.
His official Persimmon profile can be found on the company’s Board of Directors page.
His role is important because Persimmon is a major UK housebuilder, and the chairman helps guide board discussion, governance, leadership standards and shareholder confidence.
William Hill, Marston’s and Other Board Roles
Before and alongside Persimmon, Devlin held several major chair roles.
Persimmon says he previously served as chairman of William Hill PLC and chairman of Marston’s PLC.
The Marque profile also links him with Gamesys, Venere, Traveljigsaw and Principal Hotels, showing a wider career across betting, online gaming, travel and hospitality.
His work in betting and regulated entertainment also makes him relevant to wider stories about the lottery and gaming business, where leadership, regulation and public trust are important.
Horserace Betting Levy Board Appointment
In 2025, Devlin was appointed chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
GOV.UK announced that the Secretary of State appointed him for a four-year term from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2029.
The official public appointment notice is available on GOV.UK.
This role connects him directly with British horse racing, betting funding, racehorse welfare and long-term support for the sport.
Horse Racing Connection
Devlin is not only connected with racing through board work.
GOV.UK says he owns horses in training with Anthony Honeyball and William Muir. It also says he was co-owner and breeder of Pyledriver, winner of the King George and Coronation Cup.
The Horserace Betting Levy Board also highlighted his focus on investment, employment, racehorse welfare and improving the reputation of racing when announcing his appointment.
For readers who enjoy public figures linked with sport and competition, Newstrap’s Enzo Fittipaldi profile is another strong racing-related read.
Football and Sport Governance
Devlin also has a public record in football governance.
The Marque says he was appointed as the first Senior Independent Director of the Football Association in 2012 and held that post until 2019.
GOV.UK also notes that his previous non-executive roles included Senior Independent Director of the Football Association, chair of Sunningdale and service on the board of the R&A.
These roles show that his career is not limited to companies. It also includes important sports institutions.
Film and Media Work
Devlin also has a smaller entertainment connection.
The Marque says he wrote and produced Breaking the Bank, a feature film starring Kelsey Grammer and Tamsin Greig.
This is an unusual detail in his profile because most of his public career is linked with boardrooms, finance, racing and corporate leadership.
Family Life
Roger Devlin is married and has two daughters.
This is confirmed by The Marque’s public profile.
His public image is mainly professional, so his family life is not a major part of public coverage.
Charity and Social Mobility
Devlin also has a charity link through The Sutton Trust.
GOV.UK describes him as a director of The Sutton Trust, a leading social mobility charity.
This adds another side to his public work because social mobility connects education, opportunity and fair access.
Readers interested in responsible leadership can also read Newstrap’s Ram Gidoomal profile.
Leadership Style
Devlin’s public leadership style appears board-focused, calm and governance-led.
Persimmon says his experience gives him a strong understanding of corporate governance, shareholder and stakeholder views, banking and finance, customer propositions and leadership.
The company also says his qualities help him lead the board, support productive debate and provide constructive challenge.
That kind of leadership is different from celebrity entrepreneurship. It is based more on experience, judgement and steady board control.
Income and Public Remuneration
His Horserace Betting Levy Board chair role is publicly listed as paid.
GOV.UK states that the HBLB chair appointment is remunerated at £39,600 per year.
His wider income is connected with senior board and company roles, but exact personal wealth should not be guessed without a reliable public source.
Public Image
Roger Devlin is publicly seen as a senior UK business and governance figure.
His strongest public identity comes from Persimmon, William Hill, Marston’s, the Horserace Betting Levy Board, racing ownership and sports governance.
His career also shows how business leadership can move across sectors, from finance and hospitality to betting, housebuilding and sport.
For another Newstrap story about ambition across business and racing, see this profile of Ameerh Naran.
Career Timeline
1957: Born in August.
1978–1993: Worked as a director at Hill Samuel.
1994–2008: Worked at Hilton International.
2012–2019: Served as the first Senior Independent Director of the Football Association.
2018: Appointed to Persimmon Public Limited Company.
2018–2021: Served as chairman of William Hill PLC, according to The Marque.
2025: Appointed chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
2025–2029: HBLB chair term runs from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2029.
Interesting Facts
His full registered name is Roger William Devlin.
He was born in August 1957.
He is British and lives in the United Kingdom.
He studied at Manchester Grammar School and Wadham College, Oxford.
He has an MA in Law from the University of Oxford.
He has chaired Persimmon PLC, William Hill PLC and Marston’s PLC.
He was the first Senior Independent Director of the Football Association.
He owns and breeds racehorses.
He was co-owner and breeder of Pyledriver.
He wrote and produced the film Breaking the Bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Roger Devlin famous for?
He is famous for being chairman of Persimmon PLC and chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
What is Roger Devlin’s full name?
His full name is Roger William Devlin.
How old is Roger Devlin?
He is 68 years old as of July 2026.
What is Roger Devlin’s nationality?
He is British.
What is Roger Devlin’s education?
He studied at Manchester Grammar School and Wadham College, Oxford. Persimmon says he has an MA in Law from the University of Oxford.
Is Roger Devlin married?
Yes, he is married.
Does Roger Devlin have children?
Yes, he has two daughters.
What company does Roger Devlin chair?
He chairs Persimmon PLC.
What is Roger Devlin’s horse racing role?
He is chair of the Horserace Betting Levy Board and is also publicly linked with racehorse ownership and breeding.
Was Roger Devlin connected with William Hill?
Yes, he previously served as chairman of William Hill PLC.
Conclusion
Roger Devlin has built a long career across British business, betting, leisure, housebuilding and sport.
He is best known for his Persimmon chairmanship, but his wider story includes William Hill, Marston’s, the Football Association, The Sutton Trust and the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
His public profile is not based on fame or social media. It is based on boardroom experience, governance work and leadership across important UK sectors.
