Julie Newlan, former deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, has died of brain cancer at the age of 68. Her contributions to the university included playing a key role in establishing a new medical school and enhancing the institution's global appeal.
Early Life and Career
Born in London to Mary (nee Benson), a clerical worker, and Tom Knights, a carpenter who worked on theatre scenery, Julie attended Hatfield Girls Grammar School. After graduating, she worked in publishing and hotel management before moving into managerial roles at Guinness Retail Holdings and Martins. She later became a senior consultant at Fifth Dimension, a management consultancy focused on market gap analysis and strategic positioning, particularly in healthcare.
Education and Family
In 1988, Julie married Keith Newlan, a jeweller. While raising their three children—Sophie, Lucie, and Max—she pursued higher education, earning an MBA from London Metropolitan University and a postgraduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing by 1993.
University of Hertfordshire
Julie joined the University of Hertfordshire in 1996 as a senior lecturer in business strategy. Her managerial talent quickly emerged, leading to her appointment as dean of the business school in 2006. She then served as pro-vice-chancellor for business, marketing, communications, and international development from 2011, and was named deputy vice-chancellor in 2022, a role she held until her retirement in 2024. During her tenure, she was instrumental in establishing a medical school, which will welcome its first students later this year, and in building a marketing team that helped make the university a top destination for international students.
Honours and Community Work
Julie was appointed MBE in 2014 for services to higher education and became a professor in enterprise development in higher education in 2019. Outside the university, she was active in Hertfordshire's Local Enterprise Partnership, local Chambers of Commerce, and the regional CBI. In retirement, she served as chair of the board of trustees of the Bishopsgate Institute in London and was a trustee of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations from 2013 to 2018.
Survivors
Julie is survived by her husband Keith, their children Sophie, Lucie, and Max, and six grandchildren: Theo, Evelyn, River, Remy, Renley, and Finn.
