When Sarah Benton‑Rose joined St1 in 2020, she didn’t arrive with a clear roadmap in mind. Instead, her journey began with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to try something new. Today, Sarah works as a Supply Chain Logistics Partner, planning shipments and coordinating operations. But her path there was anything but conventional.

Starting out on the road

Sarah first joined the company as an HGV driver, stepping into the role after hearing about the opportunity through her network.

Driving introduced her to a completely different way of working. Days were often spent independently, traveling across the country and managing long routes.

“You could be on your own for hours, just doing your job and being in your own space,” she recalls.

Her personal interest in environmental topics made working in the energy sector feel especially meaningful.

“It felt inspiring to step into an industry that connects with something you genuinely care about in your personal life, like sustainability.”

A game‑changing step forward

After several years behind the wheel, an unexpected opportunity arose. Encouraged by her manager, Sarah was asked whether she would be interested in trying something different.

“I went from driving into an office role and that has definitely been eye‑opening,” she says.

In her current role, Sarah coordinates logistics, working closely with drivers, customers and multiple departments to keep operations running smoothly.

“A typical day is a mix of communicating, planning for our shipments, and adjusting—figuring out the most strategic way to manage what comes in.”

Seeing the bigger picture has been one of the most eye‑opening parts of the transition.

“You don’t really realise how complex the business is until you see all the different layers. It really changes your perspective”.

Learning, growing, and sometimes doubting

Moving into a completely new environment hasn’t come without challenges. Transitioning from independent, outdoor work to a busy office setting required a shift in mindset.

“I’d never worked in an office before, so that was quite a shock to the system,” she says.

At times, the step up has also brought moments of uncertainty. But Sarah’s colleagues have been very positive and encouraging.

“They don’t just judge you by your background or qualifications. If you show interest, they encourage you.”

Development that opens doors

Since stepping into logistics, Sarah has continued to build her skills. She is currently enrolled on an apprenticeship scheme, as well as completing a transport management qualification that broadens her understanding of the industry—not just operationally, but also commercially.

“It opens up a lot of options within the business,” she explains.

Rather than planning a strict career path, Sarah prefers to stay focused on learning and improving where she is.

“I’m just enjoying what I’m doing and trying to do it better. It’s an ever‑evolving role at the minute”, she says.

Teamwork and culture make the difference

For Sarah, it’s the people who really make it feel like more than just a job. She appreciates the overall sense of engagement in the culture.

“It's progressive, it's inclusive, and very encouraging”.

She describes her team as a blend of experience, knowledge, and support.

“It’s great that my colleagues have a long history with the company—they’ve seen it evolve, from the Brocklesby days to becoming part of St1.”

When asking Sarah what motivates her most, her answer is simple:

“I just enjoy my job. I do miss being out on the road, but I genuinely enjoy the job.”

Being part of something bigger

As St1 continues to evolve, Sarah sees increasing focus on sustainability, traceability, and improving processes across the business.

“There’s a strong drive to improve, take responsibility and keep moving forward,” she says.

Also in an operational role, this wider ambition is easy to connect to in everyday work.

“You can definitely see the direction the company is going and it’s great to be part of that.”