Network Rail will work harder to improve the perception of the company’s employer brand, according to head of resourcing, Adrian Thomas.

Thomas was responding to reports in today’s Times of claims made by Network Rail chief executive David Higgins that the company is “struggling” to hire talented managers.

Thomas told Recruiter that Higgins’ comments needed to be put into perspective, adding that he was specifically talking about the recruitment of route managing directors.

He added he didn’t think it was a secret that the company doesn’t have a “sexy brand”. “We acknowledge that it’s a tough industry and we do work hard but we probably have to work harder to put across to potential candidates the amazing opportunities that we have here.

“Maybe we’ve been more successful at the apprenticeship level at doing this and I think David’s hinting that we will be putting much more effort in at the senior levels in future.”