A conference designed to help local firms gain access to a massive £10 billion worth of contracts to help deliver Britain’s new high speed rail network is to take place in Birmingham.

The first HS2 supply chain event will be at the ICC on November 5 and firms, large and small, are invited to attend to discover how to win some of the deals on offer.

The Birmingham conference is the first of a series of events to inform companies on how to compete for and win work on the largest infrastructure programme in the UK.

Birmingham was selected as the first city to host the events because of its central place in the HS2 network.

HS2 will demand a wide range of skills across a broad range of areas as it progresses through the different phases of the programme; from planning and design to manufacture and construction. 

Beth West, HS2 commercial director, said: “HS2 is a multi-billion pound project to build Britain’s new high speed rail network, the supply chain conference offers businesses the chance to prepare themselves for the opportunities which will be generated by this exciting project.

“To deliver this nationally important project on time and below budget, we need to work closely with suppliers early on, to ensure that sufficient planning is in place before the start of the formal procurement process.

"This will also benefit business, by giving them a head start to make the investments they require in recruitment, training and education to support the innovative ways of working we need to deliver HS2.

“We look forward to engaging with our supply chain, to develop a world class high speed rail industry and skills base in the UK. The Birmingham Supply Chain Conference will be the first opportunity to demonstrate how HS2 will work with industry partners”.

• Businesses can register their interest to attend at the website.