PR - Following the appointment made by Ian Wright MP, the Minister responsible for Ordnance Survey in respect of the government’s shareholding, Ordnance Survey is delighted to welcome Sir Rob Margetts CBE, FREng, FIChemE as the first Non-Executive Chair in the organisation’s 217-year history. Sir Rob joins the national mapping agency for an initial period of three years, bringing with him extensive experience in the business and scientific arena.

Sir Rob began his career with the ICI Group in 1969, progressing through a number of appointments within the group prior to joining the Board in 1992 and being Vice-Chairman from 1998-2000. Since 2000 he has been Chairman of Legal & General Group plc and in 2006 also became Chairman of Ensus Ltd. 

He is also a non-executive director of Anglo American plc and Chairman of the Energy Technologies Institute. In addition, Sir Rob was Chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) from 2001-06. 

Sir Rob’s role as Non-Executive Chair will be to lead Ordnance Survey’s Strategy Board. Together with the other Non-Executive Directors, Executive Board and   Vanessa Lawrence CB, Ordnance Survey’s Director General and Chief Executive, Sir Rob will help deliver the continued strategic direction for the organisation.

Of his appointment, Sir Rob comments: “I am delighted to have been invited to chair Ordnance Survey. It is a great privilege to join this organisation, which provides so much benefit to its users and enjoys an excellent reputation. I much look forward to working with Vanessa and Board colleagues as well as staff, business partners and customers.”

Vanessa Lawrence, who remains Ordnance Survey’s Accounting Officer and continues to report directly to the Minister, welcomes the appointment, saying: “I am delighted that Sir Rob will be joining us in the new role of Non-Executive Chair. With his outstanding record of business leadership and organisational development, I know that his knowledge, skills and expertise will be invaluable as we move forward in the coming years.”

“I and my Board colleagues very much look forward to working closely with him.” 

Sir Rob will report to Shareholder Executive, the body that advises Ministers and senior officials on the government’s “shareholding” in organisations like Ordnance Survey. His appointment brings Ordnance Survey in line with other Trading Funds with Non-Executive Chairs who have already modernised their governance structures, such as the Met Office and UK Hydrographic Office.