Originally from Newcastle, Julie is a  mum of two girls and has lived in Knaresborough since 2016. Following  graduation from the University of Swansea in 2000, Julie began to work on social research projects; typing up interviews with seafarers (e.g. from the Philippines) and completing surveys in the suburbs of Newcastle for the University of Northumbria. Other roles included working  as a Research Consultant for a Consultancy in Cardiff (whilst earning a BSc in Social Science Research Methods) and in TV Production and Research for several years, at one point helping to coordinate the annual Welsh BAFTA Awards ceremony (BAFTA Cymru) and also working as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for regional screen agency North West Vision + Media.

As newlyweds Julie and her husband moved Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010 where they lived happily for six years before moving to Knaresborough and finding their forever home. Julie  joined the Hub as the Assistant Manager in December 2018 and became the Centre Manager in 2021.