General Atomics

Remembering Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL

It is with deep regret that ADS shares the passing of Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL, Chair of the UK Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers Community (RISC).



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.

Related

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS Charity Cycle Ride group photo
ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS members are taking on a five-stage, 350-mile charity cycle from Belfast to Bristol, raising money for three causes while connecting colleagues and showcasing industry along the route.
London Stansted Airport enjoys its busiest month ever
Stansted
London Stansted Airport enjoys its busiest month ever
Last month Stansted Airport beat its previous monthly record, setting a new all time high of over 3.1 million passengers.
Aerospace

11 Aug 2026

Calian UK secures British Army training contract
Army training.
Calian UK secures British Army training contract
The 15-year contract agreement with RTX's Raytheon UK is set to start in October this year and will see Calian help modernise British Army training through the Army's Collective Training Service (ACTS) programme.
Defence Member News

12 Aug 2026

QinetiQ systems and services support Combat Archer 2026
QinetiQ's Banshee Jet 80+
QinetiQ systems and services support Combat Archer 2026
Advanced target systems, infrastructure and support services from QinetiQ helped deliver operational insights into the effectiveness of air-to-air weapons system at this year’s Combat Archer military exercise.
Defence Events Member News

12 Aug 2026

British Army trials ARX Robotics’ GEREON UGVs in US-led Project Convergence drill
Five of the eight ARX Robotics-made GEREON UGVs are seen on the ground at Fort Irwin, California, during the PC-C6 trial that was held in July 2026. Note that each of these UGVs is configured for a different mission set. Image: ARX Robotics
British Army trials ARX Robotics’ GEREON UGVs in US-led Project Convergence drill
British forces have tested ARX Robotics’ GEREON UGVs across ISR, C-UAS, CASEVAC and logistics resupply missions during the US Army’s latest Project Convergence trial in California.
Defence Most Read

12 Aug 2026

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS Charity Cycle Ride group photo
ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS members are taking on a five-stage, 350-mile charity cycle from Belfast to Bristol, raising money for three causes while connecting colleagues and showcasing industry along the route.
HydroGNSS becomes first ESA Scout mission to complete in-orbit commissioning
HydroGNSS coherent channel detecting surface water at a high resolution, even when under a vegetation canopy.
HydroGNSS becomes first ESA Scout mission to complete in-orbit commissioning
Designed, built and operated by Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) for ESA, the HydroGNSS satellites are now able to provide data to researchers worldwide.
Member News Space

11 Aug 2026

UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
Manufacturing cyber security.
UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
A new report from Make UK outlines the true extent of the risks of cyber attacks faced by manufacturing businesses across Britain.
Security

12 Aug 2026

How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
Mines float on the waves in the sea 3d illustration
How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
A major collaborative effort to design and implement an innovative test of UK underwater mine countermeasures is set to inform and enhance future operations.
Defence Security

12 Aug 2026

AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
IT technician checks cyber security in the office
AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
AXA XL’s acquisition of UK cyber consultancy S-RM comes as manufacturers face growing pressure to strengthen prevention, incident response and supply chain resilience.
Security

11 Aug 2026