Julie joined Central Bedfordshire Council from North East Lincolnshire Council in January 2009, where she had served as Executive Director of Community Care since 2003, encompassing Adult Social Services, Strategic Housing and Safer Communities (and statutory Director of Social Services).

Prior to this, Julie has gained a wealth of experience in local government, working at several councils including Wirral MBC, Northumberland County Council and Humberside County Council. Her roles have included being a Social Worker (qualifying in 1985), Community Care Implementation Leader and Assistant Director of Older People’s Services.

As Director of Social Care, Health and Housing at Central Bedfordshire, Julie’s responsibilities include:

• Adult Social Care
• Commissioning
• Housing Landlord Services
• Strategic Housing Services
• Customer Contact Centre

More recently, Julie has taken responsibility for chairing the Council’s Internal Efficiency and Modernisation Board, and is establishing a Strategic Commissioning Hub for the Council.

Julie has been the Chair of the East of England Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) Branch, has been the Regional Lead Trustee, was Vice President of ADASS 2018/19, President of ADASS 2019/20 and Immediate Past President 2020/21.

Julie recently joined the panel of commissioners leading the commission on the role of housing in the future of care and support believing that “every decision about care is a decision about housing”.