Debbie Black

Commercial lawyer and Board advisor

Helping boards, founders and leadership teams deal with pressure points before they become critical. With 30+ years’ experience advising and running businesses, I bring calm, clarity and joined-up thinking when the stakes are high.

Running a business has never been more complex.

Legal risk, regulatory pressure, cultural challenges, fragmented advice, and the weight of decision-making often land on a small number of people at the top. That’s where I work best.

I help businesses prevent, contain and resolve problems, combining sharp legal thinking with hands-on commercial experience and a common-sense approach.

How I Help.

Board & Leadership Support

Clear, impartial input for boards navigating risk, governance, culture and tough decisions.

Commercial & Legal Problem-Solving

Strategic legal insight combined with practical business judgement.

Joined-Up Advice When It Matters

Where challenges cross disciplines, I bring the right people together quickly and effectively.

The Collective Advisory Board.

When a challenge needs more than legal input, I draw on The Collective Advisory Board – a trusted group of senior professionals across HR, finance, marketing, property, technology and compliance.

This means boards and founders get connected thinking, not siloed advice.

A snapshot of Debbie's expansive credentials.

  • Founder & Commercial Lawyer, DGB Solicitors
  • Chair, Institute of Directors Manchester
  • Co-founder, The Collective Advisory Board
  • Trustee / Director, Involve Northwest
  • 30+ years advising businesses across sectors

"Working with Debbie Black I felt supported by someone who understood the commercial challenges that needed addressing both legally and from a business perspective.  

Debbie did exactly what she said she would do, unlocking the issue. When you need legal advice, it is comforting having a lawyer at your side that provides moral support as well as quality legal advice.

I gained a lot of knowledge during the process and feel well equipped for the future. "

Kurt - Director - Vigo IT Solutions

"I cannot recommend Deb at DGB Solicitors highly enough. From start to finish, her service has been outstanding — professional, efficient, and genuinely caring.

She took the time to explain every step clearly, offered sound and practical advice, and was always prompt in responding to any queries.

What stood out most was her attention to detail and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. I felt completely supported and confident throughout the entire process. It’s rare to find a solicitor who combines such depth of expertise with a truly personal approach.

I am extremely satisfied with the service I received and wouldn’t hesitate to use Deb at DGB Solicitors again or recommend her to others. "

Paul White - Director - Elevated Futures Ltd

"Debbie’s strong values were integral to our work together.  For me her technical expertise was a given, the differentiator was her emotional support and strong sense of purpose, leading me and partnering with me in an unwelcome and stressful situation.   I’m delighted to say that partnership led to a very welcome result. "

Sara Barrie - Director - Sara Barrie & Associates Ltd

"I was referred to Debbie Black by someone I know and trust, someone who does not make referrals lightly and only recommends professionals they have worked with personally.

From our first communication and throughout all dealings with Debbie and her team at DGB, I found her to be approachable, incredibly diligent, and the utmost professional. I would gladly recommend Debbie and DGB Solicitors to others seeking expert legal guidance and support. "

Jay Allen - Director - My Truenorth Ltd

"We use DGB’s Retainer Service so that Debbie works as part of our team. This provides us with timely, consistent, quality legal and commercial advice.

Debbie’s knowledge of our business means that time spent on background and the detail is considerably reduced saving money by avoiding old ground and creating efficiencies.

Over time Debbie has become part of the Samson team. "

Zara Richards - Director - Samson Security

"Debbie’s legal help, and clarity of briefing were worth their weight in gold.

I would not hesitate to recommend her to friends and business colleagues. "

Paul Hunter - Managing Director - Hunter Projects Ltd

"DGB Solicitors provided fantastic commercial insight as well as diligent, detailed work to support me finalise my legal matters. Their advice is straightforward, extremely practical and looks at all potential pitfalls, pain points and areas to consider from a 360-degree business perspective, rooted in expert legal knowledge but actually much broader than that "

Dawn Paine - Director - Aurora Agency