NR's new Public Members training programme

Sharp eyed readers of the Sunday press will have seen that Network Rail is advertising for Public Members.

In the past the likes of Captain Deltic have fallen foul of NR's demands that Public Members must be "people with a strong belief in accountability and a thorough understanding of, and commitment to, good corporate governance" (Shurely 'willing to rubber stamp board decisions'? Ed).

No matter. The past is behind us.

With Huggable Higgins at the helm things are changing for the better!

Apparently NR is even involving train operators in training new Public Members so they better understand customer needs.

This exclusive top secret photo from Northern shows one such joint NR/TOC joint training session for Public Members in action...


Although Eye is not entirely convinced that waving empty bonus envelopes at NR Directors will necessarily drive the right behaviours...

UPDATE: This from a Mr Saltaire...

Actually, this is the link aspiring Public Members need.

On the form, it asks where one heard about the opportunity.

Whilst The Hindustan Times is amongst the list of options, sadly, Railway Eye is not.

Such is the influence of new media.

NR - Ignorance is bliss

Telegrammed by our man at 222 Marylebone Road
Phew, narrow escape there for Rick Haythornethwaite and the Network Rail board.

It turns out that the Peter Waller, recently appinted a Public Member is not THE Peter Waller the railway writer.

Nearly had some dangerously subversive railway knowledge there.

Meanwhile, total radio silence from the normally forthcoming Lord Berkeley following the winding up meeting of his Members Review Group on 3 October.

Foodbottom joins NR Public Members. Again!

Telegrammed by Leo Pink
In Network Rail's list of newly appointed public members, issued today, I note the name of J Bray.

Is this Jonathan Bray of PTEG fame?

And would that be the same J Bray who was on the previous list of public members helpfully provided by NR's Internet Rapid Rebuttal Unit?

I think we should be told!

Perhaps J Bray is in danger of becoming like Peter Simple's Alderman Foodbottom; the 'perpetual' Chairman of the Bradford Tramways and Fine Arts Committee.

Network Rail Public Members jolly

*** Tunnel Vision's take on NR's awayday for Public Members***

Ford appointed NR Public Member!

Just joking - obviously!

For the third year in succession Captain Deltic has failed to make the short list for the new batch of Network Rail Public Members.

No doubt there is huge disappointment in Kings Place that the independent selection panel has yet again robbed the company of the Captain's long experience.

Here a clearly disconsolate Iain Coucher receives the news.

Better luck next time Captain.

Public Members selection criteria revealed - Shocker

NR explains, in song, how new Public Members are to be inducted into their role...



With a bowler tip to Tom Harris.

We're in the money!

***NR bosses have seen off a challenge to change the company's controversial bonus scheme***

NR Director's bonuses

Just a quick reminder to those Public Members on their way to Network Rail's Annual Meeting today.

Just say no.

The Kraken Wakes

And not before time!

This from tomorrow's Daily Telegraph...

Network Rail's much-criticised corporate governance will be challenged formally later this month when a dozen of the company's members seek a major overhaul.

Interesting that this challenge is taking place so early in the tenure of Rick Haythornthwaite, NR's new chairman.

Apparently the passenger and freight operators expect great things of Rick.

The Eye watches with interest.

Network Rail Public Membership

Applications to join NR's 'Stepford Wives' closed on the 12th June.

The Membership Selection Panel (MSP) hopes to write in the week commencing 27 July 2009 to inform applicants whether or not they have been invited to the Candidate Workshops.

Our man at 222 Marylebone Road, the Independent Expert, Dreadnought, Leo Pink, The Major, etc... all await the call with anticipation.

Unsurprisingly none have rushed to clear their diaries yet...

Selection of new NR Public Members begins

This should be a laugh.

Lets see how long it takes NR to weed out applications from the awkward squad this time.

Heaven forefend that anyone should be appointed as a public member with a scintilla of knowledge about the railways.

Or indeed with the ability to pose awkward questions of NRs well remunerated board.

UPDATE: This just in from our man at 222 Marylebone Road...

Is there any truth in the rumour that Captain Deltic is to stand down in favour of Joanna Lumley?


Having seen how Purdey dealt with Phil Woolas she'd sort out Coucher in no time.

UPDATE: This just in from Network Rail...

We are looking for "people with a strong belief in accountability and a thorough understanding of, and commitment to, good corporate governance".

So if you think you meet those criteria do get in touch.

The Fact Compiler says:

Prove it and select some Public Members who are sufficiently knowledgeable AND independent enough to really hold you to account.

Go on. I dare you!
(The Fact Compiler will not be applying)

UPDATE: This just in from our man at 222 Marylebone Road...

Clearly experience of the industry is of less importance than being an expert at corporate 'buzz word bingo'.

So that's the Captain AND Purdey ruled out !


The Fact Compiler can stomach Gordon paying his brother to do "cleaning services".

Just.

But rule out Purdey and it gets personal!

Awaiting the call

Telegrammed by our Independent Expert
'Weak and ineffective'.

That's how the report by Price Waterhouse Coopers, leaked to the Gruaniad this morning, describes the non-executive board members of Network Rail.

Perhaps time, therefore, that NR reappraised the selection process for its Public Members, and ended the process of repudiating applications from knowledgeable Railway Eyers, such as the Independent Expert and Captain Deltic.


If called upon we're happy to serve...

UPDATE: This from the Pink 'Un today (Tuesday 3rd March)...

Decision-making could be more effective if the number of members were reduced to about 30, if some were paid to improve attendance and if more secretarial and analytical support were provided, to help members to follow the company’s performance in more detail.

Well if there's cash in it we're even more interested!

Obama says...

Now this is how Network Rail should select Public Members



Teresa Villiers - get on down !

Zimbabwe election

Good news for fans of corporate governance.

This from the national infrastructure owner....

Network Rail today announced its new designate chairman, Rick Haythornthwaite.

His appointment will be made by the Board following a meeting with Network Rail’s Members with the matter being put before the company's AGM in July as a normal election resolution.

Rubber stamps and trebles all round !

Now is the winsor of our discontent

Telegrammed by our man at 222 Marylebone Road

The Salon des Refusés of those suitably qualified railway people who have applied for Network Rail public membership and been rejected is filling up nicely for 2008.

Whilst, as expected, Captain Deltic has been denied for the third time, Network Rail seems to be reverting to aversion therapy to deter others.

One highly qualified applicant, who was rejected last year, was personally invited by Network Rail to apply this year - only to be turned-down again.

Network Rail refuses to give specific reasons for individual rejections.

Is this legal?

Are any of Railway Eye's m'learned friends up for a pro-bono judicial review?

Qui custodes

Telegrammed by our independent expert
Now is the time of year when that brave band of railway experts who apply to become public members of Network Rail's board receive their ritual rejection letters.

NR Directors, of course, don't want any outsider with rail expertise on the board, because they might get found out.

One applicant, who is a leading railway journalist in the national press, received a mealy-mouthed letter of rejection saying the selection panel's "focus was not confined to an appreciation of railway-related issues."

So what on earth should Public Members "focus" on, if not "railway-related issues"?

Presumably the continued approval of fat bonuses for NR's porky top team despite the company's shiite performance?

It's a bit like Tesco recruiting Directors who have no interest in retail.