Debbie Alder
Biography
Debbie Alder is now retired.
Prior to her retirement in December 2025, Debbie was Director General, Corporate Transformation, based in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). She was appointed to the role in August 2023 and had accountability for Estates and Major Change Projects internally focused on Corporate Services.
Before taking on this role, Debbie was Director General People, Capability and Place for DWP since 2020, having first joined the Executive Team in the department as Director General of Human Resources in January 2014.
Debbie began her career in the private sector in HR with 21 years of experience across retail, manufacturing and consultancy in the UK, Europe and North America. Starting in Marks and Spencer, she then moved to Ford Motor Company before working in consultancy. Debbie joined the Civil Service in 2009, and has been Group HR Director for Defra and Group HR Director for Ministry of Justice.
She was invited to become a Chartered Companion of The Institute of Personnel and Development in 2019 having previously led the HR professional development across the Civil Service, chairing the Civil Service HR Capability Board for 5 years.
Debbie was a Steering Group member of the Movement to Work charity. She has previously been a Trustee of the Whitehall and Industry Group.
Debbie is a Senior Independent Director in Common across Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust & Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
Previous roles in government
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Director General, Corporate Transformation
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Director General, People and Capability
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Non-Executive Director, BPDTS
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Director General, Human Resources