Julian Cobley
Chair Of Trustees

Julian has 18 years’ experience in strategic leadership roles, working in public and the private sector. He started his career as an IT consultant which led into a permanent role managing ICT infrastructure across Europe and the Emerging Markets region. Joining the local government sector in 2007, Julian held senior management roles at Cheshire County Council and Cheshire East Council where he specialised in digital, economic development and skills.  In 2016, he went on to establish the Skills & Growth Company, providing economic development and skills services with the mind-set that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed and every business the opportunity to thrive. 

Harnessing his skills and experience Julian joined the ENGIE group in 2019, where he is the North West Partnership Director in EQUANS, whose purpose is to make zero carbon happen. Julian leads strategic partnerships with public sector customers providing technical services & facilities management, energy efficiency and regeneration. 

Julian is an experienced non-executive director having been an ambassador for Institute of Directors and sat on several industry advisory boards during his career. He has been a Trustee of Crewe University Technical College, since 2017, and remains a member of the local governing board, following the school’s merger with The Learning Alliance multi-academy trust in September 2021.