Debbie Wilcox, Lady Wilcox of Newport is a former teacher with more than 35 years’ experience in front-line education, and a record of almost 20 years serving local government in Wales.

She was educated at the Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London and the University of Wales, Cardiff.

Following her successful education career in London, and as head of drama and media studies at Hartridge High School in Newport, and head of the performing arts faculty and senior management team at Hawthorn High School, Pontypridd, she took her expertise into politics where in 2004, she was elected as local councillor for the Gaer on Newport City Council. She was re-elected in 2008, 2012 and 2017, and also served as Chair of the Labour Group and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture in 2012. She also served as the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services.

In 2016, she was elected as the first female Leader of Newport City Council a role in which she served until she was elevated to the House of Lords in 2019. 

In March 2020 Lady Wilcox was appointed as an Opposition Whip and joined the local government team in the Lords and in September 2020 Lady Wilcox was appointed as Shadow Spokesperson for Women & Equalities as part of the Lords Front Bench team. In March 2021 she was appointed as Shadow Spokesperson for Wales and as the Education Whip in the Opposition Front Bench.

She has also served as an external examiner for both the WJEC and AQA Examination Boards for more than 25 years and became the principal examiner for A-Level Theatre Studies. She was also a member of the Local Government Executive and the first woman Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association from 2017 to 2019.

Lady Wilcox’s other interests include Commissioner to the Lifelong Education Commission, Vice-Chair of the APPG of the Western Gateway / Porth Y Gorllewin and Chair of Trustees of the Council for Drama, Dance and Musical Theatre (CDMT). She currently serves as a Commissioner for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service appointed by the Welsh Government.

In November 2023 she was awarded a Fellowship by Teesside University as a result of her work with the UK 2070 Commission and the Commonwealth in delivering economic growth missions between Wales, Teesside, and South Africa.