Julie Spence (or Julie Spence OBE BEd LLB MA MBA to give her her full title) is Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

Julie initially trained as a PE and Biology teacher, but after taking up a teaching post in the West Country she soon decided it wasn't for her.

In 1978 she joined Avon and Somerset Police and was posted to South Bristol, and moved up the ranks to be appointed the county's acting chief constable in June 2005, and was made Chief Constable later that year.

Feature:
You don't have to behave like a man to get to the top
The ET's Jemma Walton talks to some of the most powerful women in Peterborough, 19 September 2008.
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In the Queen's 80th birthday honours list she was awarded an OBE for her management of complex and contentious organisational issues, including the protection of Heathrow and the Queen Mother's funeral.

Julie is currently the President of the British Association for Women in Policing - and won the Opportunity Now Champion Award 2006 for her outstanding commitment and achievement in her role as gender champion.

The judges said: "Shattering the stereotypes and myths associated with the deployment and progression of women, she has engaged the support of those in positions of influence to create a working environment where women feel valued for using their skills and abilities that enable them to make a valuable contribution."

Julie is currently on holiday, which is why she couldn't talk to The ET.