Darryl Eales serves as Chairman of Debrett’s, bringing unrivalled leadership in UK private equity, growth capital and corporate governance. As former CEO of Lloyds Development Capital (LDC), one of the UK's most successful mid-market private equity firms, Darryl oversaw investments exceeding £2.6 billion across 160+ businesses, delivering capital gains of over £3 billion during his tenure.

His expertise spans growth capital, management buyouts and transformational value creation, equipping him to guide complex M&A and investment strategies that meet the needs of ambitious mid-market companies. His experience as both investor and board leader gives him a rare perspective on what drives sustainable business success from both sides of the deal table.

A long-time advocate for entrepreneurship, Darryl is passionate about the role of SMEs in economic growth and wealth creation, particularly in regional markets and the manufacturing sector. He was an early supporter of the Entrepreneurial Exchange (E2E), where he now serves as Chair, and remains committed to promoting an entrepreneurial economy across the UK.

Since stepping back from institutional private equity, Darryl has invested widely on his own account, backing a diverse portfolio of businesses and mentoring both first-time and seasoned founders. These include Alycidon Capital, a specialist engineering group; werqwise, a co-working operator in California; and Veloce, a high-growth esports and media company.

In addition to private equity, Darryl is an influential leader in sport, chairing Solihull Moors Football Club, where his strategic ambition is guiding the club’s rise towards the Football League. He is particularly proud of the Moors Foundation’s award-winning community work. Previous sporting leadership includes ownership of Oxford United FC and chairing the Marussia Formula One team.

At Debrett’s, Darryl leads the firm’s strategic governance and investment vision, ensuring the Board’s collective expertise translates into trusted, founder-focused advisory excellence. His guidance shapes Debrett’s commitment to delivering superior outcomes for clients navigating M&A, growth funding, succession and exit, reinforcing the firm’s position as the UK’s foremost adviser to mid-market businesses.