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How we make decisions

Internal communications guidance and criteria used for decision making

Ordnance Survey is a government department in its own right, with Executive Agency Status operating as a government Trading Fund. Ordnance Survey reports to Parliament through Ministers in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).  Ministers have delegated day-to-day management of the Governments' shareholding in Ordnance Survey to the Shareholder Executive. 

Ordnance Survey is led by a Strategy Board comprising a Non-Executive Chair, two other Non Executive Directors and five Executive Directors, including the Director General and Chief Executive, who is also Departmental Accounting Officer.

The Strategy Board, which is responsible for all strategic decisions for Ordnance Survey operates under agreed Terms of Reference. 

Day-to-day operational management is led by the Executive Board, chaired by the Director General and Chief Executive and comprising the five Executive Directors. The Executive Board works within agreed Terms of Reference and is responsible for all operational decisions and for developing, in collaboration with the Shareholder, strategies and plans for consideration by Strategy Board. Executive Board also works through a number of senior-level subject working groups. These groups review and monitor business activity and consider proposals for business developments, which are then submitted to Executive Board and Strategy Board as necessary for endorsement or approval.

Ordnance Survey also has delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office to administer the Crown Copyright and crown database rights which subsist in its data and information. Ordnance Survey is accredited as a full member of the Information Fair Trader Scheme operated by the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI), and works to consistently meet the standards required by the scheme. Ordnance Surveys compliance with IFTS is reviewed regularly by OPSI.

Ordnance Survey is also committed to high standards of corporate governance and for these to be seen as transparent. Ordnance Survey applies and abides by the principles of the Corporate Governance in Central Government Departments: Code of Good Practice.  Ordnance Survey is also committed to complying with the various provisions and policies associated with your information rights.

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