Julia became the 17th Regius Keeper (CEO) of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in January 2026 - the first woman to lead the Garden in its 355 year history.
Julia’s career spans over 20 years in biodiversity, conservation and climate change including 12 years working as a British Diplomat leading the science teams in some of the greatest biodiversity hotspots in the world in East China, Russia and South America. In Brazil, Julia led a multi-million pound UK-Brazil fund for research which included identifying new plant species in the Amazon rainforest.
Julia also served in the Senior Civil Service in London where she led a team of climate scientists and statisticians to deliver the science underpinning the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 legislation.
Julia was also Deputy Director of London’s Science Museum for nearly 6 years, leading the operations, curatorial, and public engagement teams towards delivering world class exhibitions such as Amazônia and Future of Food.
Julia is a Chartered Horticulturist and holds a BSc Hons in Soil Science, an MSc in Crop Protection and a PhD in sulphur cycling in soil - plant - atmospheric systems. She is an Honorary Professor of the University of Edinburgh.
Professional position
- 17th Regius Keeper (CEO), Trustee - The Woodland Trust, Trustee - Plantlife International, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
