Meet the team: Lisa Allen
Continuing our series to introduce you to the amazing individuals within OS and showcase the variety of work we do, meet Lisa Allen. While Lisa is relatively new to OS, she has already made her mark. Here, she gives us an insight into her role in the OS Data Office and how she gives our data a voice…
How long have you worked for OS?
I am a newcomer to OS as I started in April this year. Before I joined I worked across Government on projects such as the Defra Open Data challenge and preparation for the Data Protection Act 2018.
What is your role?
I am the Head of Data Management and Requirements. Being part of the new data office and working for OS’s first Chief Data Officer Caroline Bellamy was an exciting prospect I could not turn down!
The beginning of our paper maps
Have you ever wondered how long ago we made our first map or why we are called Ordnance Survey? There is a link, so keep reading to find out…
While 2018 marks 227 years since Ordnance Survey was founded on 21 June 1791, our first map was produced ten years later in 1801.
OS Open Zoomstack workshops – book your place
By popular demand, our Geovation team will be delivering another series of geotech workshops across Great Britain. This time, they’re focusing the sessions on OS Open Zoomstack to help you embed OS Maps into your web, mobile and desktop application.
OS Open Zoomstack
We launched OS Open Zoomstack as a trial in July and over 900 people signed up to take part. We’ve seen over 1,100 downloads of the Vector Tiles, 900+ for GeoPackage and over 400 downloads of the PostGIS Export File. It’s been fantastic seeing OS Open Zoomstack being used, from building an interactive map in a day with Axis Maps to supporting a BBC article on rental prices across Britain and enhancing Pocket Pal’s mapping.
Benchmarks added to OS Maps
While we’ve already celebrated the 25-year landmark since the last traditionally-cut benchmark was carved, we thought we’d carry on the merriment by adding them to OS Maps!
Yes, you heard right. So if you’re an avid benchmark bagger or just intrigued by geographical history, you’ll be delighted to know that, instead of downloading our benchmark archive, you can simply find them on OS Maps desktop. Not only that, but when you click on the specific benchmark, it will tell you which one it is and when it dates back to!
Screenshot of a benchmark on OS Maps near our HQ in Southampton.
What is a benchmark?
Jason Rawles shares his advice on staying safe outside
Accompanied with our tips on how to stay safe in the mountains, Mountain Rescue has forewarned hikers in England and Wales about being caught out on the mountain after nightfall in a Telegraph article this week.
Termed “benighting”, Mountain Rescue has said that with the clocks going back, there is an annual spike in walkers or climbers needing to be rescued around this time of year.
Due to rescues taking longer in the dark, October had the highest average number of rescuer hours last year. Across the board, the number of mountain call-outs has risen gradually over the last five years from 1,080 in 2012 to 1,467 last year.
“If you want to get out into the mountains and enjoy the same amount of daylight, you need to set out an hour earlier,” said Rob Shepherd, Mountain Rescue stats officer and a member of the team in Llanberis, Snowdonia, one of the busiest regions in England and Wales for rescues.
Below, mountain safety expert and OS GetOutside Champion Jason Rawles shares his tips for staying safe when outside at this time of year.
Meet the team: Dave Tucker
Continuing our series to introduce you to the hard-working individuals within OS and showcase the wide variety of work we do, meet Dave Tucker. Dave has been with us for a long time but has always worked out in the field. Here, he gives us an insight on his role in mapping Great Britain…
How long have you worked for OS?
43 years – I started at OS in April 1975 at 19 years old! I started as a basic grade 4 surveyor after a gruelling survey course lasting 9 months. I’ve since been sponsored for qualifications including an MSc in Surveying. Currently, I am the South Region Manager in Field Operations and have been in this role for 15 years. I have also been an RICS Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) since 2006.
Can you describe your working day?
In three words, each day for me is busy, varied and rewarding. I have daily responsibilities such as liaising with my fellow field managers, regional management team and the team of 40 surveyors working remotely across London and the South East (using Skype as appropriate).
Three years of Geovation
Following the success of our Geovation Challenges, three years ago we opened the Geovation Hub in London. This decision was made to further energise innovation in the UK geospatial industry and offer proptech and geotech start-ups the best possible support through the Geovation programme.
In the three years since the hub opened, businesses that have entered the programme so far have raised £19.5m in investment funding and created 189 new jobs! For more details on the progress of Geovation, please have a read of our press release.
To celebrate this milestone, we’ll be chatting to those who have been involved in the OS initiative to find out how it has helped them grow their business. Hear from some of them below and stay tuned for further videos from this year’s intake of startups!
Find out more about Geovation.
An interactive house prices map with OS data
Find out how our guest blogger David Heyman, Managing Director of Axis Maps, created a fantastic interactive house prices map on a day off…
Overseeing the operations of Axis Maps, I don’t get to make maps as much as I’d like. Last week I had a free day, so I figured I’d build a quick interactive map to try out some new tools and techniques for use in our future custom interactive mapping projects, and (data willing) show a new or interesting geographic phenomenon.
Britain’s loneliest OS map
Want to know which OS map gets the least attention? Read on to find out about the most unexplored parts of Great Britain are to be found – we’re ready to reveal some OS secrets!
According to our sales figures for 2017/18, we have been able to publish the top 10 least popular Explorer maps in England, Scotland and Wales.
Meet the team: Teena Munden
We’d like to put some friendly faces to the people working at OS and showcase the wide variety of work we do. As today is the International Day of Charity, we’re starting with Teena Munden, Business Centre Manager and chief fundraiser at OS.
How long have you worked for OS?
I celebrated my 10-year OS anniversary last month!
How long have you been in your current role?
While I have always worked within the business centre, I started out as a Business Centre Executive. Five years ago, I applied for my current managerial role. It felt like a natural progression and, while I was nervous about the increased responsibility, I feel I have thrived as Business Centre Manager. OS has been very accommodating over the years and despite my promotion I was able to continue working part-time to fit in with childcare.
Teena with Solent Mind CEO Kevin Gardner, left and former OS CEO Nigel Clifford, right
