# Network Rail Strengthens Supplier Engagement

At its Annual Conference on October 8, 2026, Network Rail outlined plans to improve forward visibility and supplier engagement, including asking tier-one suppliers to sign the Rail Supply Group Pipeline Visibility Charter. SMEs received about 28% of Network Rail’s total spend over the last two financial years, below its 33% ambition. As rail reform and Great British Railways develop, procurement teams and suppliers may see changes to onboarding, pre-qualification, payment practices, and supply-chain opportunities.

- Tier-one suppliers are being asked to support the Pipeline Visibility Charter, which is intended to improve visibility of upcoming rail supply-chain opportunities.
- The gap between SME spend and Network Rail’s 33% ambition makes SME participation and access to procurement opportunities a key area for suppliers and procurement teams.
- Companies serving the rail sector should assess their onboarding and pre-qualification readiness and consider how they can engage with tier-one supply chains; specific process changes were not detailed in the signal.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Transportation
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Government Entities
- Network Rail
- Great British Railways (GBR)
- UK Government

### Key Quotes
> GBR will combine national coordination with local accountability, creating a simpler structure where decisions are taken at whichever level delivers the greatest value.
> — Lord Hendy, Rail Minister

### Sources
- [Rail Forum Conference: Fuelling economic growth | RailBusinessDaily](https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/rail-forum-conference-fuelling-economic-growth) - Rail Business Daily