Top job at Yorkshire Forward for Pyronix boss July Kenny

A TOP Rotherham businesswoman has been appointed to chair Yorkshire Forward for the final two years before it is scrapped.

Julie Kenny, managing director of Hellaby-based Pyronix, will take up her new role at the regional development agency on Monday.

Mum-of-three Julie said: “I’m delighted to lead an organisation which has, for the last ten years, existed only to make a difference in Yorkshire’s economy for the benefit of its businesses and citizens into the future.”

Ex-lawyer Julie—given a CBE in 2002 for services to industry—was the first female president of Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.

She was given an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University on 2006 and is Commissioner with the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

The Government also appointed her to a panel of three tasked with monitoring improvements at Doncaster Council.

All nine RDAs will be scrapped by the Government in 2012, when local enterprise partnerships will take over the job of stimulating the economy outside London.

Julie, of North Anston, said: “In this close down period I am committed to ensuring the legacy of YF is the best it can be and that we work hard to continue to ensure that we see the economic benefits from our work in the years to come.

“We will continue to deliver our existing programme of work in conjunction with our partners.

“We will support our staff throughout this time of transition and in so doing we shall ensure the professional closure of the organisation in March 2012.”

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