How we’re governed and managed

As a public sector arm’s length body, Network Rail retains the commercial and operational freedom to manage Britain’s railway infrastructure in England, Wales and Scotland within regulatory and control frameworks

As a not-for-dividend organisation, we don’t pay out dividends to shareholders. Instead, any profits we make are invested straight back into improving the railway.

Our board of directors is responsible to the Secretary of State for Transport, and the chair aims to ensure our policies and actions support the wider strategic policies of the Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers. We are subject to independent regulation by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

This is defined in more detail within our framework agreement with the Department for Transport, setting out how we interact in terms of financial management and corporate governance.

The links below provide more information on how we’re managed and regulated.