Education & Young People
Dame Julia has a long-standing reputation for developing cross-sector partnerships to improve the quality of leadership and teaching in schools and inspire young people to achieve active, fulfilling lives.
Julia co-founded the #iwill movement, supporting young people into social action through volunteering, campaigning and advocacy. She co-produced an independent report in July 2013 to Prime Minister David Cameron, which led to the creation of Step Up To Serve and the #iwill campaign. She has co-chaired the #iwill Partnership Board from 2021-2025. The #iwill Fund, led by the National Lottery Community Fund, continues to encourage practical action by young people in the service of others.
Julia previously chaired Teach First (2006–2014) and the National Literacy Trust (2013–2022) and now serves as Vice Patron of Teach First and chairs the National Literacy Trust's Business Literacy Council. She was also a founding Board member of the Youth Futures Foundation and remains on the Board of Advisors for the Fair Education Alliance. She served on the board of the National Citizen Service, contributing to its mission of bringing young people together to develop life and work skills while making a positive impact in their communities.
She chairs the UK board of Teach for All, having previously served on its international board. Julia also retains her advisory role with the Foundation for Education Development working to establish a long-term plan for education.
