Jump to the following:

Ordnance Survey logo

Discover Ordnance Survey

Skip primary navigation
Site Search
Skip secondary navigation


Geographic Intelligence key to the dialogue around ABI’s Statement of principles according to Aviva’s head of GIS

Eleanor Mclachlan is the Geographical Information System (GIS) manager at Aviva UK. She has worked within the GIS team at Aviva for five years having joined the company after completing an undergraduate degree in geography. Eleanor started off as an analyst and took over management of the GIS team last year.

How long have you been using our mapping data?

Aviva has been using Ordnance Survey data from the very beginning of their involvement with Geographic information (GI) systems and data in 2003.

What do you find most useful?

Our use of OS MasterMap® Address Layer 2 gives us the ability to assess risk to individual address level which is imperative for perils such as flood. We have recently started using OS VectorMap® Local which is providing valuable insight into the writing of personal lines risks.

Why did you become interested in geographic information?

Aviva’s involvement with geographic information began when we commissioned the first national scale flood map in 2003. Since then our interest in GIS has grown to cover every aspect of the Insurance business. The Insurance Industry is uniquely placed to take advantage of spatial data and analysis having a large amount of geographic data. Everything from the geographic distribution of different soil types, to the area protected by a flood defence, to the location of a Brokers office can be located on a map and doing so enables us to leverage a huge amount of spatial insight and provides benefit to the business.

What, in your opinion, are the key issues facing the financial services industry over the next three years and how can geographic information help?

Flooding is likely to continue to be a dominant issue in Insurance as the changing climate causes extreme weather events to become more common. Continued investment in spatial data that allows the risk of flooding from multiple sources to be accurately assessed will become increasingly important.

The statement of principles is due to expire in 2013 and we are currently working with the Government and the Industry to address the issues this raises. This has to be part of a bigger conversation in which all stakeholders understand their responsibilities in flood risk management, from Insurers ensuring that premiums accurately and fairly reflect the risk, to local authorities and Government continuing to invest in defences, to the Homeowners themselves who should be encouraged to consider what measures they can take to protect themselves and reduce the damage if they are flooded. Spatial information is likely to play a key role in this discussion by allowing all parties to accurately identify areas at risk.

Tell us something not many people know about you? A fun fact or claim to fame, for example.

I’m currently undertaking an MSc in GIS from City University in London. My dissertation research will focus on the effective dissemination of geographical understanding amongst non GIS professionals in a commercial environment. When not studying I enjoy running and recently ran my first half marathon.

Eleanor McLachlan, GIS Manager, Aviva

 

Skip supplementary navigation

For general enquiries, complaints, feedback or suggestions, email: customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk or call us on 08456 05 05 05