Deborah graduated with a Degree in Industrial Design from the University of Northumbria before she decided to become an advocate for design rather than working as a designer herself.

Deborah began her career with the RSA working on their Student Design Awards. She then set up her own business delivering design events, competitions and conferences all over Europe for leading organisations such as the UK's Design Council, Design Museum and D&AD and the Pan-European Brand Design Association.

In 2003, she joined the Design Business Association as CEO. Funded entirely by the design industry with a remit to drive up their professionalism and the profile of design's value in business, the DBA's membership has doubled along with the association's turnover.

Deborah has spoken extensively to design and business audiences on subjects relating to the running of a design consultancy and design effectiveness in business. She became President of the Bureau of European Design Associations (BEDA) in early 2011, where she now works with the BEDA board to influence design policy on the European stage.