Gold Award

Where she guides: Worldwide Booked through: Dragoman (dragoman.co.uk) Julie has led countless tours all over the world, but one thing remains constant: her dedication to making every trip unforgettable. Her passion and talent shone through in every testimonial we received, and it’s clear that she always goes beyond the call of duty.

Originally from Preston, Julie left home at 19 in search of adventure. She quickly gained an impressive CV (from designing self-drive tours in New Zealand to managing a ski company in France), and joined Dragoman in 2013 as a trainee guide. Since then, she has risen through the ranks – leading trips all over the world.

But Julie doesn’t stop there: she’s actively involved with training new guides, and is praised by her colleagues for her quick thinking, willingness to help others and endless enthusiasm for creating incredible experiences.

What you said

“The best guide I have encountered in 40 years of adventure travel.”

“I am deaf, so travelling can be difficult. But Julie always spoke clearly so I could lipread, made sure I knew exactly what was happening and gave me the confidence to join in. She did something much more valuable than many other guides I’ve travelled with: she gave a bit of herself to help me. She was more than just a guide.”

“A top-notch leader and an excellent driver of 18-tonne trucks!”

The judges’ view

The judges picked up on Julie’s humour, empathy and organisational skills. Gill Russell said, “I was really impressed with her negotiation skills at checkpoints that others couldn’t penetrate, and by her peers saying they would trust her with their lives.”

Bursary plans

Julie plans to split her £5,000 bursary between many charitable projects, including Zara Charity, in Tanzania, which are fundraising to replace the solar panels that power a school for Maasai children, and a charity in Sierra Leone that supports victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).

“She leaves a trail of happiness wherever she goes, and as a mentor she is unrivalled”