Julie Summers Keynote Speaker

Sunday Times bestselling historian and author of fifteen acclaimed works of non-fiction
Author of Jambusters, which inspired the hit ITV drama Home Fires
Expert on the Second World War, resilience and the extraordinary stories of ordinary people

Julie Summers's Biography

Julie Summers is the best-selling author of fifteen works of non-fiction. Her book Jambusters inspired the ITV drama series Home Fires, which ran for two seasons in 2015-16 and had a regular television audience of over six million. Dressed for War is currently in development as a drama and was praised by Lucy Davies of The Daily Telegraph: “Superb. Dressed for War works on so many levels.” She was listed in the Sunday Times as one of only four women in the top fifty historians in Britain.

Julie focuses on ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things in times of crisis, such as the Second World War. Her work examines areas that are often overlooked by historians, but which shine a bright light on our humanity and frailty as well as great strengths. She is currently working on the women behind the preparations for D-Day.

Julie spent the first half of her career working at the Royal Academy of Arts, the Henry Moore Foundation and as director of exhibitions at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. This gave her an unerring eye for detail and a great understanding of the power of storytelling.

An experienced and compelling speaker, she helps audiences understand how the past can shed light on the present and point to a path for the future.

The Everest Mystery

No mountaineering story is more compelling than what happened to Sandy Irvine and George Mallory close to the summit of Mount Everest on 8 June 1924. As Sandy’s great niece, Julie has unique insight and knowledge of the mystery and presents a compelling picture of an extraordinary young man who packed more into his twenty-two years than most of us manage in a lifetime

Fashion on the Ration and Vogue at War

The history of dress and fashion in the Second World War is complex and fascinating. Government had more control over what people wore than at any time in our history. Clothes rationing and austerity dramatically affected the fashion industry and had a positive impact on British fashion.

The Bridge on the River Kwai – Truth or Fiction?

One of the most famous of all the war films made in the 1950s was loosely based on the true story of the construction of the Thailand-Burma railway. But the truth is very much more compelling than fiction. Julie peels back the layers to reveal a complex story with a real-life hero and brilliant natural leader at its heart: Brigadier Sir Philip Toosey.

Stranger in the House

The story of men returning from war is messy but it is important. The Second World War was total war in which there were no non-combatants and the aftermath was complex. Given the interest in family history today this talk considers why this important area of our social history has been so little examined.

She brings history to life through compelling stories of courage, leadership and resilience, helping audiences understand what ordinary people can teach us about navigating extraordinary times.
She translates the lessons of the past into practical insights for today’s leaders, exploring how adversity, teamwork and human ingenuity shape organisations and societies.
She combines meticulous historical research with powerful storytelling, uncovering overlooked stories that reveal the strength, adaptability and determination of individuals in times of crisis.
As the bestselling author of fifteen works of non-fiction, she has inspired acclaimed screen adaptations and established herself as one of Britain’s leading popular historians.
Her keynotes help audiences draw timeless leadership lessons from history, inspiring resilience, purpose and a deeper understanding of how the past can inform the future.