Dame Julie Kenny CBE DBE DL elected to serve as next chair of RISC

Chair of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) between 2010 and 2012 and twice serving in the same role on behalf of the BSIA’s Security Equipment Manufacturers Section between 1998 and 2004, Dame Julie began her career in the legal world by focusing on litigation before turning to manufacturing.

Dame Julie founded BSIA member company Pyronix Limited in 1986, with the business since growing to become a multi-million pound, award-winning global organisation. Kenny sold the business in 2016.

Dame Julie holds a CBE, a DBE and also an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in recognition of her contribution to business and community in the South Yorkshire region. She received the Freedom of the Borough of Rotherham, her home town, earlier this year, having already served as High Sheriff of South Yorkshire in 2012-2013.

She was named the Vitalise Businesswoman of the Year in 2013 and Private Businesswoman of the Year for 2014 and has also received a ‘Special Recognition’ Judges Award by Northern Power Women.

Further, Dame Julie currently holds several trustee/patron positions for diverse charitable organisations, serving as chair and non-executive director with Robson Handling Technology and chair of the Maltby Learning Trust. In addition, Dame Julie chairs the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust which is committed to securing a sustainable future for Wentworth Woodhouse, the country house situated in Wentworth near Rotherham.

Taking over at RISC from Sir Kevin Tebbit, Dame Julie will commence her new role in January next year.

New era for RISC

RISC 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. The organisation represents around 6,000 companies by virtue of those representatives who participate.

RISC’s structure and governance comprises three constituent parts: an Executive, a Council and a Secretariat. RISC is led by its chairperson, overseen and advised by the RISC Council and supported by the RISC Secretariat. The RISC Executive is also supported by a vice-chairperson. The Secretariat function is currently provided by the ADS Group, itself one of the Founding Partners of RISC.

Speaking about the news, Mike Reddington (CEO of the BSIA) said: “The Trade Association is delighted that Dame Julie has been elected to be the next chair of RISC. Her commitment to the BSIA and the wider security sector has truly influenced the landscape of our industry, while her strategic expertise and extensive knowledge of the public, private and voluntary sectors make her a perfect fit for what is such an important role.”

Upon accepting this new role, Dame Julie observed: “It’s an honour for me to accept the role as chair of the RISC. I believe my knowledge and experience of how central Government works, together with the strategic leadership experience I’ve gained in ensuring the progression of all the organisations with which I have been involved during my career, will enable me to continue the vital work of this alliance. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sir Kevin for his significant contribution in progressing its important work.”