Dame Julie Kenny: A Personal Tribute to a Yorkshire Trailblazer

Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL

South Yorkshire has lost one of its finest. Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL was not just a remarkable business leader, she was a trailblazer, a mentor, and a force of nature who defied expectations at every turn. She built a globally successful business when women in manufacturing were a rarity, forged trade links with Russia when it was almost unheard of, and took on the monumental task of saving Wentworth Woodhouse when everyone else thought it was impossible.

But for me, her impact was even more personal.

At a low point in my business journey, Julie was the first to reach out. Before some so-called friends even thought to check in, she arranged a meeting with Tom Clayton that led to the creation of Intelliam, a company that recently completed an IPO. She didn’t just offer support; she created opportunities, built connections, and changed lives. That’s who she was.

Julie’s own story was one of overcoming challenges. Raised in a council house in Rotherham, she built Pyronix from the ground up in the 1980s, long before ‘tech startups’ were even a concept. She wasn’t just leading a security company—she was redefining the industry. Pyronix pioneered wireless alarm technology, grew into a global business exporting to over 90 countries, and eventually caught the attention of Hikvision, the world’s largest CCTV company, which acquired it in 2016.

Through it all, she kept her roots firmly in South Yorkshire. She championed local manufacturing, created hundreds of jobs, and invested in the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs. She wasn’t interested in personal glory—her legacy was the success of others.

Beyond business, Julie’s impact on Yorkshire was immeasurable. As Master Cutler, she persuaded me to join the Cutlers’ Company, deepening my connection with the region’s rich industrial heritage. But perhaps her most ambitious project was Wentworth Woodhouse. Where others saw an unsalvageable wreck of a stately home, she saw a national treasure worth saving. Against all odds, she led the effort to secure funding from the National Lottery, putting in place the foundations to restore one of Britain’s most important historic sites.

She was fearless. In the 1980s, she travelled alone to Russia—something unheard of at the time—to build trade links for Pyronix. She sat across from men who underestimated her, negotiated on equal terms, and walked away with deals that transformed her business. That was Julie. She never asked for permission, and never let convention dictate what she could achieve.

She was also one of the warmest and most genuinely good people I’ve known. The world is full of people who talk a big game. Julie didn’t talk—she did. She was always the first to step forward, always the one making things happen, not for personal gain but because she believed in the people around her.

Her passing is a huge loss, not just for those who knew her, but for Yorkshire, British industry, and the next generation of entrepreneurs who won’t get the chance to learn from her. But her legacy—her businesses, her work, and the lives she changed—will last for generations.

Above all, my thoughts and deepest sympathies go to Julie’s family and loved ones. The loss they feel will be immeasurable, but I hope they can take comfort in knowing how much she meant to so many of us. Her kindness, strength, and impact will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Julie. Yorkshire, and all of us who were lucky enough to know you, owe you more than we can ever say.