Network Rail gain corporate accreditation

APM is pleased to announce that Network Rail has gained APM Corporate Accreditation for its house professional development scheme Network Rail P3M Development Programme. Network Rail runs, maintains and develops Britains rail tracks, signalling, bridges, tunnels, level crossings, viaducts and 17 key station and has approximately 2500 project roles across NR (including infrastructure renewals and enhancements, IT and change management)

Network Rail delivers a substantial portfolio of infrastructure renewals and enhancements programmes and projects across its business from small scale renewals to large multi disciplinary complex programmes (such as Thameslink, Crossrail which includes Reading which was shortlisted for APM Programme of the Year 2013)

Network Rail has successfully developed a professional project management environment over the last 10 years, with targeted training and development programmes for its personnel, supported by world class methodologies and systems. The P3M programme is building on its recognised strength of project management, by also strengthening its programme and portfolio management expertise.

Network Rail believes that corporate accreditation allows them to recognise the work taking place across the organisation and to develop their project people to higher levels of professionalism.

Network Rail wanted to gain corporate accreditation to reinforce to its staff, customers, stakeholders and suppliers that it values the professional development of its people and it understands the importance of this in enabling them to deliver its project commitments in ever challenging environments.

As a key member of the rail industry, responsible for managing the projects which help to keep their customers (the train operators) running and improving their services for the travelling public, corporate accreditation allows Network Rail to help demonstrate and promote the high level of project professionalism we work to".

Speaking about what gaining APM Corporate Accreditation means to Network Rail, two employees gave their views:

Toby Robins, functional manager for the Programme Management community, who led the submission on behalf of Network Rail said: We are thrilled that the work to develop our peoples portfolio, programme and project skills has been assessed and accredited to the professional levels set out by the APM.

We recognise that developing our people is the most important enabler to helping us successfully overcome the challenges of delivering the varied and large portfolios of works. The P3M development programme will help our people to fulfil their potential.

Huw James, Head of Programme Management said: Recognition and accreditation by the APM shows our clients, stakeholders and staff that we are committed to project and programme management professionalism.  Across Network Rail we have some of the best management talent in the country and we want to keep in that way! We have a huge portfolio of programme and project delivery commitments and we need to support our project managers to be the very best they can be and deliver maximum value.