Julie previously worked as Major Projects Lead at City and Guilds, a Royal Chartered Institute and charity specialising in skills development and qualifications, but prior to this had spent all her career in local government. A Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy accountant, she was Director of Finance (s151 Officer) for Cumbria County Council between 2012-21, where she was responsible for a range of corporate support services and was an integral member of the Corporate Management Team, providing direct leadership support to Children’s Services improvement in this period.