Event details
The structural shift to Great British Railways is fundamentally rewriting how the rail supply chain functions. Under the Procurement Act and Network Rail's Control Period 7 (CP7) goals, contract awards are no longer decided solely on the lowest bid. Suppliers must explicitly prove their long-term value by boosting regional economies, offering local jobs, and lowering carbon emissions. This track focuses on navigating GBR's unified commercial frameworks, standardizing social value metrics, and breaking down traditional barriers that keep small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) from winning major projects.
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Times are displayed in BST
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08:55 AM - 09:40 AM
Commercial Integration: Sourcing Under the Great British Railways Model
This panel explores the practical realities of bidding and sourcing within GBR’s unified commercial ecosystem. Procurement chiefs, legal experts, and Tier 1 suppliers will break down how the integration of track and train alters the tendering landscape. The session will provide actionable insights into navigating the Procurement Act regulations, meeting CP7 efficiency mandates, and aligning commercial bids with GBR’s strategic overarching priorities.Key Discussion Points- Navigating the Unified Framework: How GBR's centralized commercial model simplifies—or complicates—the procurement pipeline for multi-year projects.
- Beyond the Lowest Bid: Practical strategies for suppliers to effectively demonstrate long-term value, system reliability, and lifecycle cost-efficiency.
- The Procurement Act Reality: Understanding the legal and operational shifts in how rail contracts are advertised, evaluated, and awarded.
- Collaborative Risk Sharing: Redefining risk allocation between GBR and the supply chain to foster innovation and prevent project overruns.
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09:50 AM - 10:35 AM
Proving Social Value in CP7: Beyond the Framework Ticks
This panel moves past the paperwork to examine how rail suppliers can deliver and measure meaningful societal impact. Sustainability directors, community leads, and procurement auditors will discuss how to move away from "tick-box" compliance exercises. The session will focus on standardising social value metrics under CP7, verifying long-term regional economic benefits, and creating authentic community initiatives that win bids and transform lives.Key Discussion Points- Standardising the Metrics: How GBR and suppliers can establish unified, transparent benchmarks to measure social and economic impact fairly.
- Boosting Regional Economies: Practical methods for embedding local hiring, apprenticeships, and targeted skills training into major rail projects.
- Decarbonisation as Social Value: Aligning carbon reduction strategies with broader environmental benefits for lineside communities.
- Auditing and Accountability: Moving from pre-bid promises to post-award delivery through robust tracking, reporting, and data validation.
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10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Unlocking the Supply Chain: Giving Rail SMEs a Clear Route to Tender
This panel tackles the historical barriers that have locked small-and-medium enterprises out of major rail contracts. SME founders, Tier 1 procurement leaders, and GBR commercial directors will discuss how to level the playing field. The session will focus on simplifying complex pre-qualification questionnaires, dismantling bureaucratic hurdles, and creating transparent, direct routes to tender that allow agile businesses to inject innovation into the UK rail network.Key Discussion Points- Dismantling Procurement Barriers: Practical steps GBR can take to simplify insurance, liability, and compliance hurdles that disproportionately burden smaller businesses.
- Tier 1 and SME Collaboration: Cultivating healthy, non-exploitative relationships between major contractors and niche suppliers within the CP7 framework.
- Financing the Bid: Addressing cash flow challenges and the high cost of tendering for smaller innovators trying to enter the rail ecosystem.
- Scaling SME Innovation: How a unified GBR model can fast-track the adoption of niche technologies from local suppliers onto the national network.
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11:40 AM - 12:25 PM
The Sustainability Premium: Cost-Efficient Carbon Reduction in Procurement
This panel addresses the commercial challenge of decarbonisation: achieving ambitious net-zero targets without breaking the budget. Sustainability officers, finance directors, and carbon accountants will discuss how to balance environmental mandates with CP7 cost-efficiency targets. The session will focus on embedding low-carbon requirements into GBR procurement processes, measuring Scope 3 supply chain emissions accurately, and proving that sustainable materials can lower long-term asset lifecycle costs.Key Discussion Points- Balancing Cost and Carbon: Practical evaluation methodologies that allow GBR procurement teams to weigh carbon reduction against tight capital budgets.
- Tackling Scope 3 Emissions: How suppliers can reliably measure, report, and reduce the embedded carbon of materials brought onto the rail network.
- Circular Economy in Rail: Sourcing recycled or low-carbon alternatives for major infrastructure components like steel, sleepers, and ballast.
- Whole-Life Value Models: Shifting the financial assessment from low upfront purchase costs to long-term carbon and maintenance savings.