Biography (Aug 2014)

Julian Bell is Leader of Ealing Council, a local authority that serves one of the largest boroughs in London, and one of the most diverse communities in the whole country.

Bridging central and outer areas of the capital, Ealing has historically been known as the “Queen of the Suburbs” in recognition of its many parks and open spaces and is famous world-wide for its film studios. Today, the borough is a powerhouse of west London’s economy and a focus for major growth spurred by five new Crossrail stations and development opportunities including the vast Southall Gasworks regeneration site.  

Under Julian’s leadership, Ealing has built its reputation as a high-performing and innovative council. Resident satisfaction is consistently high. The council has made significant savings and Council Tax has been frozen for four years. This is thanks to approaches including a multi-borough outsourcing of Leisure and Library services that has protected services and delivered major savings.

Recognising the importance of local economic issues, Julian’s cabinet portfolio includes regeneration. He is also active in representing the borough on other organisations; chairing the West London Alliance and the Local Strategic Partnership and being a member of the London Councils Executive and Chair of the Transport and Environment Committee.

Julian read Politics and Economics at Bath University and became actively involved in politics in 1992. He first worked for the Labour Party in 1994, and has since run several election campaigns as well as working as a researcher for several Labour MPs. Elected as an Ealing councillor in 2002, he is now serving his fourth term of office. Under his leadership the Labour group was elected to run the council in 2010 and re-elected with an increased majority in 2014.

A resident of the Ealing for nearly 30 years, Julian moved to the borough after he met his wife Hermia. He has four daughters and the eldest, Angellica, is familiar to many people as a presenter on television and radio. Julian is passionate about football, being a proud Sheffield United fan and a staunch England supporter, and is a keen cyclist regularly commuting on the Capitals roads, takes part in charity rides and set up Labour Cyclists.