Finance

How would you describe the breadth of Network Rail’s work, and the breadth of our opportunities for graduates?

I was naïve to think Network Rail was just about rail – you don’t understand the scale of operations and the variety of opportunities available until you join. There’s so much to get involved with and as finance is such an integral part of the business, it really can take you anywhere.

How varied have you found your role at Network Rail?

No two days are the same really – one day you can be out on track, the next you can be in meetings with senior leaders. I have worked as part of a team and tackled tasks on my own. I’ve been given the opportunity to find out how I work best and what I enjoy.

What’s the most exciting work you’ve done here?

My interest in logistics drew me to the National Supply Chain (NSC). I was given the opportunity to work alongside senior leaders in procurement and professional business analysts in developing a new way of analysing the financial stability of companies that apply for tender. Given that many of our tenders are worth millions of pounds, being given the ownership of designing this financial model was such an exciting opportunity.

What’s been the best thing for you?

I have been involved in incredible site visits such as climbing the Forth Rail Bridge; I have attended leadership courses at Network Rail’s impressive training centre (Westwood), and have received quality tuition from Kaplan College to help me pass my CIMA exams. I have also been given ownership of my own learning by being able to choose placements that interest me the most.

Why Network Rail?

I look forward to going into work every morning as I know I’m going to be challenged and surrounded by people who will support me. If you want to be given endless opportunities and responsibility by a company who supports enthusiasm and new ways of thinking, then Network Rail really is for you.

How would you describe the breadth of Network Rail’s work, and the breadth of our opportunities for graduates?

In finance, we are responsible for establishing and securing the Company’s cash, income and funding arrangements as well as controlling expenditure and exposure to risk.

Finance graduates get the opportunity to work in all the major functions within the finance department during the scheme, from major infrastructure projects like Thameslink to the managed train stations throughout the country; all whilst studying towards their CIMA qualification.

How varied have you found your role at Network Rail?

The size of the company and the network has meant that I have enjoyed placements in many different departments within the company including Property, Treasury and Infrastructure Projects. Each department has different finance requirements so the work is always uniquely challenging. We provide financial insight and analysis to a wide variety of stakeholders in the company; from senior executives through to the men and women in orange you see on the railway lines.

What’s the most exciting work you’ve done here?

As finance business partners, we’re often invited to site visits across the country. I am a bit of a railway geek so I really enjoy getting to go behind the scenes to places the public don’t get to see. This has included going out on a track nightshift with a maintenance team and climbing to the top of the Forth Rail Bridge in Scotland. It’s definitely not a job where you’re confined to an office all the time.

What’s been the best thing for you?

Apart from the huge variety of programme options and opportunities there are, the best thing about the finance scheme has been my development. We get extensive mentoring from former graduate scheme members and senior leaders in the company, which have helped develop our personal and professional skills.
The CIMA tuition we receive from Kaplan along with the study time provided by Network Rail, and the support on the graduate network has meant that my colleagues and I have all completed our exams within the two years on the scheme.

Why Network Rail?

Choose Network Rail and the Finance Scheme if you want chance to be part of a company  that delivers 1.3bn train journeys every year on Europe’s fastest growing rail network.