Julie has been running D-Drill since 2008 after completing a management buy-out of the company and immediately set about restructuring, remodelling and transforming the business, which has its headquarters in Coventry with offices around the UK in London, Sheffield, Greater Manchester, Newbury, Durham and Bridgend.

She has been a long-term champion of the construction sector and was the first woman to be appointed as chair of the Drilling and Sawing Association – a position she still holds – and is past president of the International Association of Concrete Drillers & Sawers (IACDS).

Julie became the chair of Build UK, which represents 30 of the largest main contractors and 11,500 specialists representing 350,000 construction employees, in September 2023.

She said: “I am excited about the year ahead – there are going to be challenges but I also believe there is a lot to be positive about.

“Being highlighted as One to Watch by Construction News at the beginning of 2024 was a nice surprise and I hope I can use my voice to champion the sector, particularly around training and apprenticeships, which has been a huge passion of mine for many years.”