Chief exec urges work visibility for SME firms

摘要

HS2 and Network Rail should make tier one contractors provide a visible pipeline of work for potential subcontractors as a condition of winning work, according to Keltbray's CEO. Darren James called for the measure to be introduced to help SMEs win work and make the correct investments. Speaking at a panel discussion at the Railway Industry Association conference alongside fellow members of the Rail Supply Group - a rail industry body bringing senior supply chain representatives together with clients including HS2 and Network Rail as well as government officials - he was asked by group chair and Atkins president Philip Hoare what large contractors could do to improve pipeline visibility for SMEs. "Network Rail and HS2 have done a lot to improve the visibility on their pipelines," James said. "What they could do is insist that the people they then procure work from follows up with the visibility of pipeline to tier two, three, fours and fives."