We own, repair and develop the railway infrastructure in England, Scotland and Wales. This includes 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We manage 20 of the country’s largest stations.
Our main customers are the private train operating companies (TOCs), responsible for passenger transport, and freight operating companies (FOCs), who provide train services on the infrastructure that the company owns and maintains.
As an arm’s length body of the Department for Transport, we retain the commercial and operational freedom to manage Britain’s railway infrastructure in England, Wales and Scotland within regulatory and control frameworks. The majority of funding comes from a mix of direct grants and borrowing from the UK and Scottish Governments, payments from train and freight operators and a small amount of income from commercial property estate. As a not-for-dividend organisation, we don’t pay out dividends to shareholders. Instead, any profits we make are invested straight back into improving the railway. We undertake programmes of upgrades to the network, including Crossrail, electrification of lines and upgrading Thameslink.
We are regulated by the Office of Rail and Road for our stewardship of the rail infrastructure. The Office of Road and Rail is the independent economic and safety regulator for Britain’s railway. It has a range of statutory powers to set the contractual and financial framework within which we operate the rail network. It sets the targets we have to achieve, and reports regularly on our performance, ensuring we carry out our activities efficiently and well, and that we are appropriately funded.
ORR also acts as our safety regulator. We are accountable to ORR for our health and safety performance – but we work closely with a range of industry bodies to continuously monitor and improve safety on the railway.
Why the Network Rail Board is supporting Boardroom Apprentice
As an organisation, we rely on the insights and challenge that our board members provide to assist with strategic decisions and direction. We welcome the opportunity to assist future board members develop their skills and observe and learn from our experienced board. Our board members are interested in helping individuals to be able to provide the support that they currently do.
Location of Board and Committee Meetings
The board meetings are held in person, although a hybrid link is provided if required. They are hosted by different parts of the organisation so the location varies, with a couple in London and one in Scotland every year. In previous years, example locations that have been used are York, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff.
Frequency and timing of board/committee meetings
The board meetings are usually from 09:00 – 15:30, with an optional dinner the night before. The board meetings are held in person 8 times a year, avoiding the Christmas and summer holiday periods.
Date of Board Meetings (January – December 2025)
16 January 2025
13 February 2025
20 March 2025
1 May 2025
3 July 2025
25 September 2025
23 October 2025
27 November 2025
Committee of the Boards and meeting dates (January - December 2025)
Audit & Risk Committee – 26 February 2025
10 April 2025 – GALP
18 June 2025
11 September 2025
18 November 2025
Treasury Committee
26 February 2025
18 June 2025
18 November 2025
Safety Health & Environment Committee
10 February 2025
21 May 2025
3 September 2025
19 November 2025
NomRem Committee
4 Feb 2025
11 March 2025
21 May 2025
3 September 2025
19 November 2025
Property Supervisory Committee
15 January 2025
12 March 2025
7 May 2025
9 July 2025
17 September 2025
12 November 2025
Environmental Sustainability Committee
11 March 2025
25 June 2025
24 September 2025
26 November 2025
Security checks
No
Payment of travel expenses
Yes