It is with huge sadness that the family of Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL announce her death at the age of 67.

A beloved mother of three, grandmother of eight, wife to Iain and stepmother to his three children, Dame Julie died after a short illness on Friday, February 21, at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, with immediate family at her side.

Dame Julie was one of the Yorkshire region’s most dynamic and respected businesswomen with numerous achievements to her name.

Her success as a self-made entrepreneur, and the numerous accolades and honorary roles deservedly bestowed on her, made her an inspiration to all, and especially to women, in every sector she touched.

Sheffield-born, she leaves a lasting legacy in South Yorkshire but particularly so in Rotherham, the town she always said had forged her determination and resilience.

She founded Rotherham-based security manufacturer Pyronix in 1986, which went on to become a multi-award-winning organisation.

Perhaps her greatest mark on the town was her campaign with SAVE Britain’s Heritage to rescue Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham’s Grade I Listed masterpiece.

She was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2019 in recognition of this work, her founding and leadership of the trust which bought the property in 2017, and building the team which now continues its regeneration. Wentworth Woodhouse is now an economic driver for South Yorkshire and a place where all are welcome.

Rotherham MP and Defence Secretary John Healey, said: “Julie was a truly remarkable woman who was proud of her roots and wanted to make life better for others.

“I first met her when I visited her Pyronix factory. She knew all her staff and they adored her.

“Over three decades, Julie took on a list of public life roles as long as your arm – at local, regional and national levels. She took on challenges others would shy away from, with a commitment that was always total.

“She became President of the Rotherham Chamber of Commerce to rescue it from the brink of bankruptcy and rebuild it into one of the country’s leading chambers.

“She became Trust director of Doncaster Children’s Services when the Government took it out of the council’s hands and in 2010 became Chair of Yorkshire Forward to wind it up after a change in government.

“She brought brilliant business insight, plain common sense and a warm personal touch to every organisation, and she inspired those she worked with to achieve more.

“Julie’s sudden untimely death leaves a massive gap in the lives of so many of us who knew her and public life is now so much poorer without her.”

As far as Maltby Learning Trust is concerned, Dame Julie, former Chair of the Maltby Learning Trust, was one of the key founders of this organisation and will always be remembered for the part she played in securing sustainable improvements in each of our member schools and across the areas that we serve. 

Throughout her life, Dame Julie remained a down-to-earth South Yorkshire woman, and her kindness never faltered. She gave her time and boundless energy to work with a vast range of private and voluntary sector businesses and organisations, including Maltby Learning Trust. She was extremely proud of what the Trust achieved and took every opportunity to advocate for the children, families, and communities that we serve.