Social value report

From supporting people with apprenticeship opportunities to train for a rewarding career in the rail sector, to embarking on charity initiatives to support important causes within our local communities – we’re pleased to see so many of our colleagues dedicate time to help make a difference.​

As an employer, it’s equally important that we provide financial assistance, such as paid charity days and a scheme to match colleague fundraising with company donations – from charity golf days to selling poppies for the Royal British Legion.

For our Rail Business Director Brett Hawke, being able to get behind grassroot sports is of huge importance. NRL’s Rail team are proud to be a long-time sponsor of Barnsley FC Ladies. When Brett isn’t overseeing our rail maintenance operations you can find him pitch side as the club’s Chairperson, as he takes an active role in supporting the club which is centred around inclusion and nurturing passion.

“Since taking the role of Chairperson for the club back in 2019, it’s been both exciting and stressful at times. Thankfully, we have a good leadership team within the club, made up of both male and female ex-players and coaches, so we get a good insight into the feelings of our stakeholders.

Giving back to the community gives you a great sense of pleasure, especially when you see how much it can change someone’s life, whether it be their first game, first goal, or when you see someone who has come through the club selected at international level, the feeling of accomplishment is second to none.

Thankfully, I have been able to use the skills I have learned through my position with NRL, to get the best deals with sponsors, local councils and get parents on board with our vision. We have gone from around 120 players in 2019 to over 170 for our 2024/25 season and we continue to grow.”

– Brett Hawke, Rail Director

From offering training to our colleagues to become Mental Health First Aiders, to supporting charities such as a Lighthouse construction industry charity that help people in crisis, it’s important we do all we can to help our people.​

We’re proud to an Armed Forces Covenant supporter as well as Disability Confident Committed employer and thrive to progress diversity and inclusion wherever we can. As an employer taking care of our people is a key priority for us and has helped us celebrate long service milestones within our operational and contracting teams.

Across our operations we encourage colleagues who make use of a company vehicle to opt for an electric or hybrid model. We were therefore delighted when our Rail contracting business set about plans to convert some of their fleet to electric vehicles (EV) over the coming years. It may only be a small change at the beginning, but once the vehicle replacement scheme has been fully rolled out as lease contracts are up for renewal, it will provide a much more energy efficient way to attend maintenance programmes across the UK’s
rail tracks.