City of Bristol College principal appointed visiting professor at UWE Bristol

UWE Bristol has appointed Julia Gray, Principal and Chief Executive at City of Bristol College, as a visiting professor.

A recognised leader in further education, skills and social justice, Julia brings extensive experience in systems leadership, organisational transformation and regional partnership development. Her work spans education, workforce development, economic growth and civic collaboration, including her role in establishing Colleges West and supporting collaborative approaches to regional skills priorities.

Through her appointment at UWE Bristol, Julia will support opportunities that strengthen connections between further and higher education, contribute to applied research and knowledge exchange, and help advance regional approaches to skills, inclusion and economic development. Julia’s expertise is particularly relevant to emerging national discussions around post-16 reform, place-based public service delivery, systems leadership and lifelong learning.

Working alongside colleagues across the University, including staff in The Brunel Centre and the Research and External Engagement team, Julia will help create stronger connections between policy, practice and regional delivery, ensuring that educational institutions, employers, civic partners and government can work together to address shared challenges and opportunities.

Professor Sir Steve West, Vice-Chancellor at UWE Bristol, said: “Julia is one of the most respected leaders in further education and skills development in our region. What makes her contribution particularly valuable is her ability to work across organisational boundaries and bring people together around a common purpose.

“As the challenges facing education, skills and economic growth become increasingly interconnected, Julia brings exactly the kind of systems leadership perspective that universities need.

“Julia’s experience across Colleges West, regional partnerships and workforce development will further strengthen UWE Bristol's ability to work collaboratively with colleges, employers, communities and government to improve opportunity, social mobility and prosperity across our region.

“We are delighted to be working with Julia as part of our shared commitment to creating a connected and inclusive education and skills ecosystem for the West of England.”

Julia Gray said: “I am delighted to continue working with UWE Bristol at a time when collaboration across education, business, government and communities has never been more important.

“The opportunities and challenges facing students of all ages do not sit within a single organisation. By working together across further and higher education, we can create stronger pathways, improve outcomes and ensure that education plays a central role in supporting inclusive growth and social justice across our region.”