A dedicated father and daughter have dedicated a remarkable combined total of 64 years to ensuring the lights stay on across London, attributing their lengthy careers to deep-seated loyalty and pride in their employer, UK Power Networks.
A Legacy of Service: From Storekeeper to Supervisor
Terry Day is a veritable institution at the company, having amassed an incredible 47 years of service with UK Power Networks and its predecessor organisations, including the London Electricity Board. He began his journey in 1978 as a 22-year-old storekeeper at the Sydenham depot.
Over the decades, Terry moved through various roles and locations, from a supervisor in Bexleyheath to stores manager in Brixton in 1988, where he oversaw all London stores. His career also took him to Maidstone and Bury St Edmunds. After three decades in logistics, he sought a new challenge, becoming a performance team leader and field staff supervisor, a role he currently holds back in Brixton.
Reflecting on his near half-century of service, Terry cites job fulfilment and the people as key reasons for staying. "You are only as good as your team," he said, noting that many colleagues he started with are now directors. He describes the last 15 years as the best, praising the company's rewards and familial atmosphere under CEO Basil.
Following in Footsteps: From Assistant to Manager
Inspired by her father, Sarah Day joined the industry 17 years ago. At age 20, she walked into the Falconwood office as an engineering assistant, a role she made her own. Determined to prove her own merit, she helped coordinate the response to a major high-voltage fault within nine months, an experience that showed her how the business operates as a team.
Her career progressed steadily. In 2014, she moved to help set up a new customer service department in the Covent Garden office, later becoming Customer Services Manager in 2018, a position made permanent in 2019. She now leads a team of ten, looking after key stakeholders for the capital. Sarah has bolstered her professional skills through the company's Supported Studies programme, completing her City and Guilds and Chartered Management Institute Level 5 qualifications.
A Unique Dynamic at Work and Home
Working for the same company has created a unique family dynamic. Their paths cross frequently due to their roles—Sarah managing office staff and Terry supervising field staff. "If it’s serious, it’s ‘Hi Terry’ or ‘Hi Sarah’. If it’s not serious, it’s ‘Hi Dad/Sarah’," Terry admits.
This professional overlap often spills into family time. "We can be a bit boring at the dinner table because we always drift into discussions about what’s going on at work," Terry joked. Sarah confirmed they always 'talk shop' when visiting, even without meaning to.
Terry expressed immense pride in his daughter's accomplishments. "I was so proud when she got the job and even prouder now she is a manager. It makes me proud when I hear all staff from field staff to senior managers and directors speak highly of her."
For Sarah, the motivation comes from the impact of her work and the people. "Knowing the difference that this makes to our staff and our customers gives me a great sense of pride," she said.
Summing up their shared journey, Sarah noted: "Together, our combined 64 years reflects not only a family legacy but also the commitment, loyalty and pride we both feel in being part of this organisation." Their story is part of a wider culture of long service at UK Power Networks, which has over 350 members in its '40+ Club' for staff with four decades or more of service.
