Ordnance Survey is delighted to announce that 14 applicants have been awarded Ordnance SurveyAccredited Consultant status.

In September 2012 Ordnance Survey launched an accreditation programme to create a network of geographic information (GI) experts. The new specialist network, of 14 Accredited Consultants, will now work with Ordnance Survey to support business users, in the public and private sector, to use locality information to improve their organisation’s decision making and strategic planning. The experts will complement Ordnance Survey in advising public sector and commercial customers in how best to use geospatial data and encourage GI best practice across Great Britain.

Applicant’s knowledge and skills were tested via an online exam before being interviewed by a panel from the national mapping agency to ensure that they could recommend them to customers. Further intakes will be announced in due course with a new scheme being opened to applicants in February 2013.

Biographies of each consultant can be found online so that customers can match their business requirements to a consultant who can help them obtain the results they need from geographic information.

Neil Taylor, Head of Commercial Markets at Ordnance Survey says

‘With the increasing relevance of location data to business, it's important for us to ensure our customers are able to access the very latest advice from a range of leading geographic information industry experts. We are building a network of Accredited experts and are pleased to be announcing the first successful applicants today.

‘Each has gone through an accreditation process, which has been designed to identify consultants with the highest levels of knowledge, skills and experience. Members of this select group are equipped to ensure customers are able to leverage the maximum benefit from their investment in Ordnance Survey data. Using the best data available, together with the best advice, we are confident that our customers will be able to meet the challenges facing their businesses today and tomorrow.’

Many of those who have met the standards required to become an Accredited Consultant will be well known within the GI industry, and it may not come as a surprise that Ordnance Survey has recognised their expertise and commitment advancingthe use of geospatial information.

Having launched the scheme lastyear, the process took around three months before the panel were satisfied that applicants met the standards needed to drive the industry’s use of Ordnance Survey’s data. Applications for the next scheme will re-open on 18 February 2013. More details can be found at: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/accreditations.

Details of the first AccreditedConsultants can be found online at: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/accreditations

Ordnance Survey is Great Britain’s national mapping agency, providing the most accurate and up-to-date geographic data, relied on by government, business and individuals.

   More information including biographies and location of the new intake of Accredited Data consultants can be found at: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/accreditations.

  Applications and information about applying to become an Ordnance Survey Accredited Data consultant can be found at: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/accreditations.

For more information from Ordnance Survey, please contact:

Melanie Osborne – Corporate Communications Manager on 023 8005 5062 or melanie.osborne@ordnancesurvey.co.uk