Julia has been Director of Public Health at Hull City Council since moving into local government in November 2013. She has been Deputy Chief Executive since 2020.. She was one of the first Directors of Public Health to become Deputy CE in England. Julia became a Non-Executive Director for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust in October 2022.
Julia’s background is in the NHS, starting her career in nursing in 1984. She worked in acute hospitals, primary care and later as a specialist respiratory nurse and senior NHS manager where she gained support to do the further study in public health that led her to a successful career in public health including a period as Training Programme Director in Yorkshire and Humber.
Julia takes a values driven approach to leadership and is experienced in personal and organisational development.
Julia has held several regional roles including chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Directors of Public health (YHADPH) during the pandemic response, an assessor for the United Kingdom Public Health Register (UKPHR) and regional advisor and assessor for the Faculty of Public Health. Julia was elected to the UK ADPH Board in 2023. She was one of the founding members of the Centre of Excellence for Tobacco Control for HNY ICB and co-chair of the population health and prevention board.
Julia stepped back from her full-time role in Hull City Council in October 2025. She continues to contribute to regional and national public health leadership and to supporting personal and organisational change and improvement in the public sector.