Introducing our Data Principles

3 minute read
As the Head of Data and Analytical Services at OS, here Lisa Allen offers us an insight into our data principles.

Ordnance Survey is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, and we hold some of the country’s most valued geospatial data. Our data is woven into the very fabric of everyday life, right across Britain. However, it’s not just geospatial data that’s important to us. As a data business, our corporate data is equally important.

We need to ensure that our customers can trust, find and use our data. We want to enable you to connect data through the language of location for greater insights, better decisions and smarter outcomes.

We’ve developed a set of data principles. These principles ensure we treat data as a valuable asset and give it the time, resources and prioritisation it needs. They closely align to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable). Our data principles form part of the data framework, and they will help us manage our geospatial and corporate data to mitigate risks and maximise opportunities to ensure world-class propositions for you.

Diagram showing the geography of things

By managing our data properly, we can help you benefit from the power of our data. For example, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our data has answered questions on essential services such as care homes, transport hubs and their location. Our data is also helping plan for social distancing as the lockdown eases; so it is essential we manage it. To read more about how our data is supporting the Covid-19 response, take a look at the articles on our Covid-19 hub.

Our data is also core reference data for many. Having this standard improves consistency and gives it the ability to link or build in other data sets. This in turn improves the quality of data and the quality of the information derived from it.

Data is an integral part of our business and we hold Great Britain’s most valued geospatial data. Managing this data through our data principles enables our data to deliver benefit for the environment, the economy and for society, both now and into the future.

The core principles are grouped into the three main themes of ‘trust’, ‘easy to find’ and ‘easy to use’. Each principle is supported by:

  • Policies and processes setting out what to do and how.
  • People who oversee or are accountable for the data and for each principle.
  • Technology which complies with the principles and makes it easy for people to do the right thing.
  • Data we design in line with the principles to ensure it meets our customer requirements.

Our principles are that our data:

Diagram showing data principles

Our mission is that we want our customers to trust, find and use OS data. Enabling them to connect data through the language of location for greater insights, better decisions and smarter outcomes.

Benefits of the OS Data Hub

Whether you’re new to geospatial or a GIS data expert, the OS Data Hub grants access to our data. Discover our platform and the benefits of using it, along with an explanation of the types of GIS data you can get.


Ordnance Survey
By Ordnance Survey

Our highly accurate geospatial data and printed maps help individuals, governments and companies to understand the world, both in Britain and overseas.