Trailblazers: Deborah Cadman

Next in our Trailblazer series, we sat down with Deborah Cadman, who has had a remarkable career in public service, leading transformational change and championing inclusivity. With a wealth of experience across local government and major public sector projects, she shares her proudest achievements, advice for aspiring women leaders, and the motivations that drive her work.

What’s your proudest career achievement so far?
“There are many …
Organisationally?- transforming St Edmundsbury BC to the highest performing Borough at that time of CPA assessment, working proactively with a 5-party coalition.
Encouraging and enabling manual staff to do numeracy and literacy skills development so that, for some, it meant that they could read bedtime stories to their children.
Leading the delivery of the most successful CWG in its history, delivering them on time and within budget.
I believe that CXs are only as good as the people that work with them, so supporting staff in all of the organisations that I’ve led, to be better and achieve their potential has ultimately meant that we have achieved great things together.”

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women aspiring to leadership positions?
“Take advantage of opportunities, and sometimes it is necessary to move out of your comfort zone.
Seek advice, this is a symbol of strength rather than a sign of weakness.
Have a mentor, someone you can trust to challenge as well as cheer from the sidelines.
Learn from mistakes and move on.
Be fearlessly authentic—retain the essence of ‘you’ and be proud of your moral compass and values.
Don’t be buffeted by the storm, see it as an opportunity to re-write the rules and use ambiguity positively.”

How do you think having more women in senior leadership benefits public services and the communities they serve?
“Diverse perspectives lead to varied problem-solving methods.
Empathy and inclusion—female leadership can create a more inclusive, compassionate approach to public services, improving access for underserved groups.
Role models and empowerment—models for future young women and girls to aspire to leadership positions.
Trust and accountability—women in leadership often bring a focus on ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability, which can increase public trust in the services they represent.”

What motivates you most about working in public service?
“Making a difference through delivering services that improve people’s quality of life.
Sense of purpose and values that are at the heart of serving the public—constantly seeking excellence through innovation and transformation in everything we do.
It is about people and relationships, not just structure and processes. Working across boundaries is a mindset and attitude. Good relationships create trust, mutual understanding, and the will to get things done. People drive change and delivery. Structures and processes merely support and enable.”

Who’s a woman that’s inspired you in your career – and why?
“Again, there are many …
Mo Mowlam was a source of inspiration and demonstrated brave, authentic leadership. I was lucky enough to benefit from her support, sponsorship, and advice, and I will be eternally grateful for the doors she opened, her encouragement, and her friendship.
Other women who have supported me in my career that absolutely deserve a mention are:

• Becky Shaw
• Pat Coleman
• Lin Homer
• Judy Rolston”

Deborah’s reflections highlight the power of authenticity, mentorship, and inclusivity in leadership. Her career is a testament to the impact of strong, values-driven leadership in public service. Thank you again for sharing your insights with us Deborah!