How Ordnance Survey is bringing together leaders and innovators to explore how location can help tackle real-world challenges
The second OS Innovation Festival in June will build on last year’s success
Press Office
At the heart of the OS Innovation Festival are the innovation sprints: hands-on, collaborative sessions focused on problem-solving using location data. These will explore challenges across a set of high-impact themes, including: Transport, Financial Services, Telecoms, Utilities, Land and Property, Security and Emergency Services, and the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR). Each attendee attends one sprint for the full event, working alongside OS and other participants to explore a specific problem space and develop practical, impact-driven ideas. Alongside the sprints, the programme includes keynote speakers British firefighter, psychologist and writer Sabrina Cohen Hatton and founder of award-winning AI education technology company CENTURY Tech Priya Lakhani OBE.
A wide variety of Government departments and agencies will be participating, including the Cabinet Office, Defra, the Department for Transport, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Met Office as well as Natural England and Crown Estates. The emergency services will also be represented.
"The OS Innovation Festival is about bringing different perspectives together to tackle real challenges, hands-on, at pace, grounded in Ordnance Survey’s trusted location data which can deliver real value and impact. By collaborating across sectors, we can accelerate innovative and practical solutions that make a difference for communities, businesses, and government."
This year’s event is introducing a Map Musings tent: a new feature designed to share inspiring talks and stories that show how maps can spark creativity, ignite adventure, and help make sense of the world around us. The Map Men will also feature as special guests bringing their unique blend of comedy-geography behind the hugely popular YouTube series. There will also be talks and exhibition space showcasing innovative ideas, solutions and emerging technologies.
Panel discussions across the two days include:
- Day 1: 'The product is governance - unpacking security, standards, licensing, interoperability', hosted by Denize McKenzie, with panellists including Manish Jethwa (CTO, Ordnance Survey), Alex Wrottesley (Director, Idox) and Alice Shaw (Microsoft).
- Day 2: 'How start-ups and large organisations can co-innovate', hosted by Aba Osunsade from Geovation, with panellists including Esri, Loomery.
The Innovation Festival will take place at Explorer House, Ordnance Survey HQ in Southampton, on 24–25 June 2026. Representatives from relevant sectors can still register for the event here The OS Innovation Festival | What's New | OS until 12 June.
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