Debbie Keighley MBE, DL

Debbie was born in Nottingham, brought up in Essex, and graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in Metallurgy in 1977. She initially worked as an engineer for Pirelli Cables in Southampton, and moved to Cumbria in 1979, to work in research and development at Sellafield, focusing on nuclear plant inspection and corrosion.

She remained at Sellafield for 37 years in technical, skills development, and management roles, and retired in 2016.

She has held multiple roles in Girlguiding, and served as County Commissioner (2002-2007). She was awarded the Girlguiding Laurel Award in 2001, Cumbria Woman of the Year in 2009, and an MBE in 2015

Her current voluntary roles include: Committee Member and Former Chair of the Cumbria Woman of the Year Committee, Churchwarden, Ranger Leader, and Secretary of Whitehaven Beekeepers.