Sir Ian Magee to lead new Geographic Information Group
The first chairman of a new high level group to oversee and provide advice to government on the public sector’s requirements for Geographic …
The first chairman of a new high level group to oversee and provide advice to government on the public sector’s requirements for Geographic Information, and how it should be sourced, has been appointed.
Sir Ian Magee will become chair of the Geographic Information Group from 1 April 2011. The Group will provide a high level of independence and expertise for specifying Government’s customer requirements for geographic information, drawing on views and experience of users across the public sector, and from the wider industry.
A key function of the new Group is to act on behalf of all members of the new Public Sector Mapping Agreement which launches on 1 April 2011. The Agreement provides the entire public sector in England and Wales with access to Ordnance Survey data under a single agreement for the first time, all for free at the point of use.
This new agreement includes over 750 local and central government and NHS organisations with provision for thousands more to join. It will result in significant cost savings for the public sector, greater data sharing and widens access to geographical information.
The Mapping Agreement includes a broad range of Ordnance Survey data which underpins the provision of a number of vital public services - from calculating health inequalities and flood defence management to local refuse collection. In addition, the new agreement will stimulate new applications and websites that will help improve public services.
The Geographic Information Group will provide strategic direction for the Agreement. It is made up of senior representatives from across the public sector and will ensure the Agreement provides value for money and the data the public sector needs.
Sir Ian said:
I am delighted to be the Group’s first chairman and look forward to delivering on this important agenda. There is great potential here to bring about significant savings for the public sector from bringing this information together.
It is clear to me there are real opportunities for this Group to make a significant contribution to improving public sector efficiencies and driving innovation.
For further information on the new Public Sector Mappings Agreement visit www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/public-sector/mapping-agreement/index.html (external link).
Notes to editors
Profile - Sir Ian Magee CB
Ian Magee is a Senior Fellow of the Institute for Government. He is co-author of ‘Read Before Burning’, the Institute’s report on arms-length bodies (July 2010); and of ‘System Error’ the Institute’s report on government IT (March 2011). Until 2005, he was 2nd Permanent Secretary at the Department for Constitutional Affairs and Head of Profession for Operational Delivery for the whole Civil Service. He has been a CEO of three different Executive Agencies. Ian was a member of the Capability Review team for the Cabinet Office.
He is a Senior Adviser to Booz and Company, international management consultants, and an Advisory Board member of two companies. Ian is an Executive Coach to senior civil servants and others.
Ian conducted a review of criminality information for the Home Secretary, published in July 2008; and a review of the Legal Services Commission for the Justice Secretary, published in March 2010. Ian has a special interest in public sector leadership, and is a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute.
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