The selection process

1. An independent Membership Selection Panel ("MSP") oversees the process of publicising the opportunity to become a Public Member, analysing the applications and making recommendations to the Board of Network Rail. Biographical information about the MSP members can be found below.
2. The MSP recommends to the Board individuals whom it considers have the abilities and experience to be effective Public Members. The Board can appoint as Public Members only individuals from those recommended by the MSP. Nevertheless the Board is not required to accept the recommendations of the MSP. The Board will not, in particular, appoint individuals whom it feels wish to pursue concerns or objectives which are inconsistent with the overall purpose of the company.
3. The MSP's objective is to recommend to the Board of Network Rail individuals who recognise that their role is to hold the Board of Network Rail to account, rather than to run the company – and who will carry out this task effectively. In considering applications, the panel looks for evidence that a candidate has experience of holding an organisation to account.
4. The MSP is looking for individuals who will bring a blend of skills and experience to the membership evidencing appropriate experience of corporate governance. The MSP will in the first instance identify those who have demonstrated the active contribution they have made to the corporate governance of organisations with which they are involved. The MSP will then consider the wider range of skills and experience candidates offer in order to achieve a blend of skills and experience.
5. If you are interested in being appointed you will need to complete an application form. This form is designed to focus on what individuals can bring to this contribution to the governance of Network Rail. Please give careful consideration to the questions on the form.
6. After assessing all the applications the MSP will create a short list of candidates from whom its final recommendations will be made. Applicants who are shortlisted by the MSP will be invited to attend a workshop with Network Rail to learn more about the company and the role of Members.
7. The workshop is an opportunity for those who are shortlisted to:
   1. meet the Chairman and other employees of Network Rail
   2. hear more about Network Rail
   3. ask questions about Network Rail and the role of Members
   4. speak to existing Public Members
8. Those invited to the workshop will also be invited to an interview.
9. Before deciding which candidates it wishes to put forward to the Board, the MSP will take up the references requested in the application form.
10. A timetable for the process for selection and appointment of Public Members for 2011 can be found below.

The Membership Selection Panel

The panel comprises:

Elizabeth McMeikan, chair of the MSP Panel from January 2010. She is a former Civil Service Commissioner (between 2005 and 2010). Currently a non-executive director of J D Wetherspoon plc, acting on the remuneration, audit and nominations committees. She is also a non executive director of Direct Wines Ltd, chairing its remuneration committee, and of Fresca Group Ltd. She is an independent member of the remuneration committee for CMEC and is a member of the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Formerly she spent twelve years in a wide variety of commercial roles within Tesco plc.

Catherine Bell, a non-executive director of the Department of Health, Civil Aviation Authority, Ensus Ltd and United Utilities plc, acting on the remuneration, audit and nominations committees. Formerly Acting Permanent Secretary at the Department of Trade and Industry 2005; she is currently Chair of the Investment Committee of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund and a Governor of the London School of Economics.

Sheila Drew Smith, an economist by background with a wide ranging experience in both the public and private sectors. A former partner in Pricewaterhousecoopers, she is currently Chair of the Audit Committee of the Infrastructure Planning Commission and a non-executive director of both London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and the social housing regulator; until recently she was a board member of the Audit Commission for England. She also acts as an independent assessor for regulated appointments in the public and professional sectors.

Timetable for selection and appointment of Public Members in 2011