Dr Julian Edwards - A Solutions Chief

As Chief Solutions Officer for KPMG, Julian Edwards (Executive MBA 2008) leads their firm-wide Solutions Initiative. This involves helping to identify, develop and grow their Solutions-based businesses across all parts of our firm.

His expertise is around digital transformation and digital solutions, understanding the world of the digital enterprises and the world of entrepreneurship and general management, having grown a business from a startup to over 300 people.

From a sector perspective, Julian is a leader with a strong focus on Education, Health, Aging and Human Services, and Government.

With a strong belief that a great business comes from having a great culture, and that a great culture is facilitated by strong leadership. Developing leaders and culture is something he is passionate about. 

The UTS Business School asked Julian for his thoughts and recollections for an alumni profile:

Why did you choose to study at UTS?	The course content, the course structure (weekend delivery meant it fit nicely with work commitments) and the University’s brand around pragmatic connection to business
What would you say to a prospective student who is considering study at UTS?	It is a pragmatic university connected to the real world. There are flexible learning options which can be extremely valuable especially when working full time and it has a great and growing reputation.
Do you have a favourite recollection from your time at UTS (a memorable academic, a funny experience etc)	The best part of the course was definitely the week long trip to France to study the final unit of the course around overseas management.  The trip to the Champagne region and the A380 factory was an absolute highlight!
Tell us a bit about your background (your family, where you grew up, key experiences like studying abroad or volunteering) and how that might have influenced your life?	I am originally from the UK where I did my schooling and undergraduate degree at Cambridge University.  I came to Australia to do a PhD in Software Engineering and ended up joining an IT startup.  I worked there for 25 years helping grow the business from 4 people to a 300 person IT company. I moved to KPMG in 2015 and now look after the firms Solutions. I also have the great privilege of serving as a KPMG Board member. I had three incredible kids and relax with sports (riding, mountain biking, swimming and skiing) and enjoy learning about a whole range of different things from physics to biology to philosophy. I aim to have a variety of interests and a balanced life across as many aspects as possible.
What do you feel is special about UTS?	I think it’s the pragmatic focus of the University and its connection to business that is the key to UTS’s success.  The connection between universities and business around problems is even more important today and UTS is well positioned to help in this space.

If you would like to share your UTS Alumni Story, please complete the UTS Business School Alumni Profile template - we would love to share your story.