Remembering Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL

Image courtesy ADS

Julie was a mother of three, grandmother of eight, wife to her husband Iain, and step-mother to his three children. She died after a short illness on 21st February at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, with immediate family at her side.
 
A leading Yorkshire businesswoman and figurehead of the UK security sector, Dame Julie served as the Chair of RISC from January 2022. She was formerly Chair of the British Security Industry Association between 2010-2012 and founded the Rotherham-based security manufacturer Pyronix Limited in 1986, which is now a multi-million pound global organisation.
 
Alongside her business achievements, Dame Julie led a successful campaign to rescue Wentworth Woodhouse, for which she was made Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2019.  She also received the Freedom of the Borough of Rotherham, her hometown, in 2021 in recognition of her contribution to business and community in the region.
 
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, said: “ADS, the wider RISC community and I, are in shock at this tragic news.
 
“Dame Julie was a truly inspirational figure in the UK security sector, steering our industry’s strategic relationship with government. I am truly grateful for her role leading RISC during a dynamic period.
 
“More importantly, and speaking personally, Dame Julie was a wonderfully kind and no-nonsense lady who I have been privileged to know.
 
“On behalf of ADS and our members, I extend our deepest condolences to her family. Dame Julie will be sorely missed.”  
 
Established in 2007, RISC is an inclusive alliance of trade associations, suppliers and other organisations that represent the UK’s security and resilience sector. It is the UK’s leading security industry alliance which serves as the principal channel of communication between the UK security and resilience industry, the Home Office, and other government departments and agencies on security-related requirements and policy issues.
 
An online book of condolence and public service will be set up to celebrate her life and achievements, which ADS will share further details of in due course.