Cadent appoints John Holland-Kaye as new Chair of the Board

• Chair of Sizewell C and former CEO of Heathrow Airport will lead the next phase of transformation at one of the UK’s largest energy infrastructure companies.
• Sir Adrian Montague, who has held the role since 2017, will formally retire on February 1, 2026.

Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, has today announced the appointment of John Holland-Kaye as non-Executive Chair of its Board, with the current Chair, Sir Adrian Montague, retiring after more than eight years in position. The changes will be effective as of February 1, 2026.

Sir Adrian has held the role of Chair since 2017, leading the organisation through a period of significant transformation, as it moved away from National Grid. Cadent has now established itself as a successful standalone entity, responsible for delivering gas to over 11 million homes and businesses across the UK. During this time, the company has undergone major developments and now leads the sector in several important areas including Ofgem customer satisfaction levels, engineering excellence and innovation in the support offered to those living in vulnerable situations. Sir Adrian also oversaw the formation of the Cadent Foundation, where he played a pivotal role in shaping its ongoing mission to tackle fuel poverty, with the company investing over £25 million in vital projects over the past five years.

John Holland-Kaye will initially join the Cadent Board as an Independent Director, before taking up his new post in February. John has recently guided Sizewell C through its Final Investment Decision, which is a key part in the UK’s energy transition plan. As the former CEO of Heathrow Airport, from 2014 to 2023, John played an instrumental part in transforming it into one of the world's best airports. During his time there, he consistently improved service levels for passengers, while also driving a reduction in costs. Before becoming CEO in July 2014, John was Development Director, responsible for delivering the £2.5 billion Terminal Two on time and on budget. Prior to joining Heathrow, he worked in construction for Taylor Wimpey, in brewing and leisure retail with Bass PLC and as a strategy consultant with LEK. He has lived and worked in the UK, USA, Australia and the Philippines.

John Holland-Kaye commented: The energy transition is the biggest challenge for our generation and Cadent is taking a lead in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, while supporting a growing economy. I am looking forward to working with the leadership team to help realise its potential.

Sir Adrian Montague, Chair of Cadent, said: I am incredibly proud of my time at Cadent, with the organisation now firmly established at the forefront of the industry. With impressive customer satisfaction figures, operational performance and a strong market reputation, it is well placed to gain further momentum while ensuring it continues to keep communities safe and warm for many years to come. I’m looking forward to working with John in the coming months as he transitions into his new role.

Steve Fraser, Chief Executive Officer of Cadent, added: The changes to our Board are positioning us for what is going to be a transformational period for Cadent, as we look to complete a successful price control under RIIO-2 and begin a new defining phase in RIIO-3. I would like to personally thank Sir Adrian for his strong leadership and invaluable guidance over the past eight years and wish him all the very best. I am also delighted to welcome John Holland-Kaye to the organisation. He is a strong addition to our Board, bringing solid knowledge of our industry and strategic experience of other sectors that have undergone significant change. This enables him to offer both fresh thinking and vital insight. John’s business calibre is second to none and I am confident he will play a key role in shaping the next phase of our journey.