Wimbledon appoints first EVER female chair as Debbie Jevans succeeds Ian Hewitt in AELTC role
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Wimbledon appoints the first female president in HISTORY as Debbie Jevans succeeds Ian Hewitt in the role of the All England Lawn Tennis Club… with the former London 2012 and 2015 Rugby World Cup boss set to take over after the championships this summer
- Debbie Jevans to be named Wimbledon’s first female president
- He beat out Kevin Havelock in the race to succeed current chairman Ian Hewitt.
- Jevans will serve as Hewitt’s vice president until after the July 2023 tournament.
- The 62-year-old previously reached the fourth round of the competition in 1979.
- READ: FIVE things you might have missed from the fourth day of the Australian Open
Wimbledon names its first female President in history with the appointment of former British player Debbie Jevans.
She will become vice president before taking over for the outgoing Ian Hewitt when he steps down after the championships this summer.
Jevans has won in the race to succeed businessman Kevin Havelock and the decision was officially announced by Wimbledon Thursday.
Debbie Jevans (left) will become the first female president of the All England Lawn Tennis Club
The 62-year-old was a prominent British player of the late 1970s, reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1979, as well as representing GB in team competitions.
After retirement, he went into sports administration and has held various positions in 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 at an easy time for one of the most emblematic institutions in the country. The Club has not yet resolved the issue of deduction of points for the suspension of Russian and Belarusian players last summer, with the possibility of a repeat.
The current chairman, Ian Hewitt, said Jevans comes into office with a “valuable combination of skills”.
Jevans reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1979 and represented Great Britain in team competition.
There’s also the resort planning permission they’re trying to get for expansion on a neighboring golf course, which has been 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 the sport, both as a former professional tennis player and through a number of leadership roles within high-profile sporting organisations, as well as her many years of service on the Club Committee.
“This prepares her well for the role and I look forward, as planned, to handing over the role of Chairman after The Championships 2023 and I wish Debbie every success as we continue our ambitions.”
She served as executive director for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and sporting director for London 2012.