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HS2 and your business

Working with local business

Businesses and employees all over the UK are helping to build HS2.

Thousands of innovative, collaborative businesses across the UK are already working with us, and we’re proud that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for over two thirds of our supply chain. Small businesses have a vital role to play in HS2’s construction, and when you join our supply chain the opportunity to win more work and expand your business is real.

Our shopping list is more varied than you might think. As well as tools, materials and services which are required for construction; we also need to ensure that our workforce (nearly 30,000 people) has everything they may need. This means that our contractors could also be looking for caterers, stationary providers, accommodation and much more.

If you’re interested in supplying HS2’s contractors with accommodation, goods or services then click below to complete a short survey and share your details with our Business Engagement team.

Tell us about your business

We will use this information to let our contractors know about what you do, and to keep you updated on events and information on opportunities related to the HS2 Project.

Local Business Toolkit

We’ve have created a series of videos to give small to medium sized businesses (SME’s) more information on how they could get involved in Europe’s biggest infrastructure project.

These short videos are designed to help business owners understand where their business might fit in, find out more about our values, and what is important to us as an organisation.  This includes how we are improving the industry in terms of diversity, health and safety, education engagement and more.

Access the toolkit

How we build the railway

We are HS2 Ltd, and we’re the company responsible for delivering Britain’s new railway. We will always oversee construction and be responsible for delivering the new railway, but our contractors will deliver most of the work on the ground. This means that your opportunity to get your local business onboard will most likely come through one of our construction partners. The diagram below should give you more information on how our supply chain works, and help you understand where your business might fit in.

To find out who’s building what and where, do read our HS2 Supplier Guide.

This guide sets out HS2 Ltd’s strategic goals and buying objectives and introduces the Tier 1 construction partners together with links to their procurement and supply chain teams.

It also contains guidance on how suppliers, no matter what level they may sit within the value chain, can organise themselves and get ready to seize the opportunities of working on HS2.

HS2 Supplier Guide & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

HS2 Supply Chain pyramid infographic.
HS2 Supply Chain pyramid infographic.

Supply chain case studies

Learn how suppliers of all sizes and types are helping to deliver HS2.

Find out more

CompeteFor

If you are interested in more formal contracts, you can register with CompeteFor who our contractors use to publish any supply chain opportunities as they arise. CompeteFor acts as a brokerage service, matching buyers and potential suppliers.

Signing up to CompeteFor and uploading your profile is free and will allow you to see what subcontracts our contractors are looking for.

Sign up to CompeteFor

Whilst the contracts advertised may not be something for your business directly, it will enable you to see what further subcontractors will be coming to work in your area and consider what additional services they may need.

What to do next

Here are some top tips to help get your business ‘HS2 ready’ and make the most of any potential opportunities.

Talk to us

HS2 and our partners hold business events in areas along the line of the new railway.

There will be opportunities to talk directly with the contractors and the business engagement team and learn more about HS2s progress, upcoming opportunities, and what you need to do to get involved.

Find out more about our events

Use our free online resources

HS2 works with the Supply Chain Sustainability school to provide a free virtual learning environment that helps suppliers and sub-contractors develop their sustainability knowledge and competence.

You can complete training, e-learning modules and certifications to help your business learn more about some of the things that are important to HS2.

Access the HS2 Supply Chain Sustainability School

Speak to your local business organisation

We work closely with business organisations to help publicise events, raise awareness of opportunities and tell you about any support there is available to help you.

Consider getting in contact with your local business group, as depending on their specific offer they can provide:

  • Diagnostic tools and support to help you understand what you need to do to get your business HS2 ready;
  • general business development support;
  • help in accessing new HS2 opportunities;
  • funding support and grants; and
  • workshops, training and guidance on requirements and standards, such as health and safety policies.

To find local organisations that can help near you, please see the links below.

Local Business Toolkit

Make sure you understand and demonstrate our principles, values and strategic goals. During procurement we will evaluate any potential suppliers and service providers against these.

Find out what we look for in our supply chain

Keep up to date

We have a series of local websites to keep you updated about the upcoming work in your area. You can sign up to receive email updates about our activity.

Sign up for email alerts

This will help you to know when workers may be in your area and what goods, services and amenities they may need.

Further information

  • Join our mailing list

    To receive email updates about the HS2 project, including how it’s being planned and constructed

    Sign up here

  • Contact us

    If you contact the Helpdesk, our Community Engagement Advisors will try to answer your questions immediately.

    Contact us