We’re committed to helping Veterans enjoy successful civilian careers here at Network Rail. Read on to find out how our armed forces employee network is helping us do this and lots more.
The Armed Forces employee network launched on Reserves Day, Wednesday 21 June 2023, bringing together over 1,000 colleagues connected to the Armed Forces. It’s one of our eight networks that aims to build a sense of community and offer support and resources to its members.
A supportive community
Lex Agathangelou, a programme manager at Network Rail, talks of the kinship he has found here since leaving the Army. He says: “There is an internal community here that is open not just to ex-Regulars or certain Reservists, but spouses, family members, anyone who has an interest in the Armed Forces.”
Our network is committed to:
- recognising the value serving personnel, Reservists, Veterans and military families bring to our business
- supporting the employment of veterans by providing dedicated 1:1 coaching for future applications and interview with our platoon of volunteers
- supporting our employees who choose to be members of the Reserve Forces
- supporting the employment of service spouses and partners
- offering support to our local cadet units
Our commitment to the Armed Forces
We’re proud of our long history supporting the Armed Forces. In fact, we’re even recognised by the government for our outstanding support for the Armed Forces community at Network Rail.
We received the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award in 2017. This prestigious award recognises our commitment to employ and support all veterans, reserves, spouses and cadet instructors.
Encouraging belonging
Charlotte Greenwood, Communications Manager and Co-Chair Armed Forces Network: “At Network Rail, we’re proud of our Armed Forces community and the contribution they make every day. Veterans, reservists, service families and those still serving bring unique skills, resilience and leadership that strengthen our railway and the people who keep it moving.
We’re committed to being a place where those leaving the military can find a similar sense of belonging with autonomy in their civilian job role. An organisation where they can feel supported, valued and given the space to thrive. We’re equally committed to supporting colleagues who continue to serve as reservists or who want to play an active volunteering role in the Armed Forces charitable work we as an organisation support in partnerships
Investing in our military community isn’t just the right thing to do; it enforces our forces friendly mission as well as, it makes us safer and more capable as an organisation. Together, with the right team, we’re building a railway that reflects the best of the people who power it.”
Charity work and community engagement
Each year we support Royal British Legion’s (RBL) Poppy Appeal with our employees using volunteer leave at Britain’s biggest and busiest railway stations for London Poppy Day. In 2025, we helped raise over £1.47million to go towards RBL’s continuous work to support armed forces personnel both previously serving and current.
We also actively encourage our employees to volunteer at military charities across England, Scotland and Wales, we also have our own military charities in-house such as Men Tribe. A veterans walking group based in North Wales and run by veterans working at Network Rail.
We support local cadet forces and encourage our employees to consider becoming instructors. We also attend and support on careers in apprenticeships for those unsure of going to university.
Charitable Giving is another initiative we encourage to support our employees providing a small contribution out of their salary. We have many partnerships with armed forces charities; it is of many ways we encourage to support our servicemen and women.
We’re excited to continue working with the Armed Forces network to further support the Armed Forces community.
