Careers at Cadent

From the shop floor to the head of Fleet & Logistics, Lucy's journey is proof that passion, adaptability, and a people-first mindset can take you anywhere. Over nearly 11 years at Cadent, she’s driven change, championed inclusion, and helped shape a workplace where everyone can thrive - no engineering degree required.

Driving change and championing inclusion 

With nearly 11 years at Cadent under her belt, Lucy Stuart, Head of Fleet & Logistics, is a shining example of how diverse experience and a passion for people can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career – even in an industry you didn’t originally set out to join. 

Lucy’s road to Cadent began on the shop floor at Massey Ferguson Tractors, where she joined a Youth Trainee Scheme straight out of school. Gaining hands-on experience across departments, she studied for a BTEC in Business and Finance.  

Her early love for logistics and operations was sparked in the Inventory Auditing team, where she thrived in a role that combined analytical thinking with real-world application, including checking parts and auditing stock. 

Following the birth of her first child, Lucy left Massey Ferguson and joined Barclays, continuing to progress her career in a variety of roles. 

After 15 years at Barclays, Lucy took voluntary redundancy and joined Cadent in 2014 as a temporary employee – curious to see if her skills would transfer to the engineering world. They did. And then some. 

Her first role in the Skills & Competence Team as an MI Analyst quickly evolved into a Training Planning Specialist position, where she supported operational teams with their annual training needs. 

From there, Lucy’s career trajectory took off. She moved into project management roles, first implementing new Field Force Terms & Conditions, then supporting the GD2 price control submission team, and later stepping into leadership roles such as Change & Transition Manager, Assurance Manager, and Head of Risk & Assurance on a maternity cover. 

Each role deepened her understanding of the business and expanded her network – something she credits as key to her success. 

Today, Lucy leads a team of around 140 people and oversees one of the largest operational fleets in the UK gas industry.  

Cadent’s fleet includes over 3,000 field force vans, 1,200 company cars, six tractor units (lorries), and even motorbikes – each playing a vital role in keeping the gas network running smoothly.  

“No two days are the same,” Lucy says. “One day I’m in back-to-back Teams meetings, the next I’m out visiting suppliers to explore electric HGVs or meeting my teams across the networks.” 

Despite not coming from an engineering background, Lucy has never felt out of place. “I’ve been fully supported in every area I’ve worked in.”  

Her story is a testament to Cadent’s inclusive culture and the value of diverse perspectives in traditionally technical environments. 

One of Lucy’s proudest achievements isn’t tied to a project or promotion, but to people.  

In 2021, she founded a menopause support group at Cadent – an initiative that continues to provide vital support and community for our employees, which – in a very big way – helped us become the first GDN to earn The Menopause Friendly Accreditation in 2023. 

She’s also a passionate advocate for Cadent’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) groups, which she sees as essential to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. 

Lucy Stuart’s journey is a powerful reminder that engineering companies aren’t just built by engineers – they are powered by people with vision, versatility, and a drive to make a difference. On International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate Lucy not just for the path she’s taken, but for the doors she’s helping to open for others.