Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Julie Dennis
Julie is a Diversity and Inclusion specialist with 20 years’ experience, gained within the public and voluntary sector. As Head of Diversity & Inclusion at ACAS, Julie is responsible for leading and providing expert advice on all diversity & inclusion related matters, with the aim of building an inclusive culture that drives engagement and ultimately performance.
She has successfully developed and delivered strategic diversity and inclusion initiatives relating to employment and service delivery and is one of the country’s most experienced professionals in this field.
Graduating from Sheffield Hallam University in 1998 with a BA (Hon’s) in Women’s Studies, Julie has a passion for diversity and inclusion. Her first diversity role was with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service where she implemented the services first Diversity Strategy along with an extensive training programme on harassment & bullying.
Over the years, Julie has developed and sustained robust corporate diversity and inclusion infrastructures including internal diversity staff networks and diversity champions, a wide range of positive action initiatives, internal diversity monitoring across all diversity strands, award winning diversity campaigns in order to increase awareness of diversity and inclusion and its relationship with cultural change, along with a suite of diversity and inclusion training packages, including unconscious bias and inclusive leadership.
More recently Julie has been focusing on the impact of Covid 19 on workers from diverse backgrounds and ongoing employer obligations along with helping employers implement flexible and inclusive practices. This has included advising employers on supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse.
She is proud to be a diversity ally and a champion for mental health awareness, often sharing her own personal story about living with anxiety caused by PTSD.
Julie is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace and strives to create an environment where people can be themselves at work.
Spoke at
Connect with Julie
Delegate Feedback - 4.6/5
“Very useful session on a difficult subject.” - Northumberland County Council
“Gave me good ideas for support we can offer.” - Concorde BGW
“Interesting session. Lots to think about in terms of support across the company.” - Landmark Information Group
“Great information.” - Chep UK Limited