In a category populated with directors from much larger companies such as BAE Systems and BT Openreach, it was fantastic that Julie Kenny CBE DL was awarded the National First Women Award for Engineering and Manufacturing. Hosting the awards, Clare Balding presented the award to Julie in recognition of what she has achieved as Chairman and CEO of Pyronix while at the same time promoting and supporting manufacturing throughout the UK.
Starting Pyronix, a Rotherham based company, from scratch in 1986 after completing training as a lawyer; Julie has taken the business from strength to strength. Striving to always be the best in her field, Julie has pushed Pyronix to its current position as a leading manufacturer of electronic security equipment, which now exports to 96 countries.
Recognised for her services to industry, Julie was awarded a CBE in 2002 in the New Years Honours list. In addition to running the business and being a full time single mother of three, Julie has taken on many other roles including appointment by the Secretary of State as an Intervention Commissioner with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, UK Commission of Employment and Skills and more recently, her appointment to the Office of High Sheriff of South Yorkshire for 2012/13
Humbled by the whole experience, Julie said: “It’s amazing to be recognised in this way but I have to thank all the staff at Pyronix for their contribution towards this success.”
