The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has appointed Steve Blair as the new Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey (OS).
Steve will take up leadership of the £150 million turnover organisation on 17 June, bringing extensive customer and commercial experience in executive and board level roles across the technology sector. Steve joins OS with a track record of delivering products and services in established and high growth emerging markets. He also has a wealth of experience in strategic planning and portfolio development.
Kieran Murphy, Chairman at Ordnance Survey, said: “The board of OS is delighted that Ministers have appointed Steve Blair as CEO of Ordnance Survey. He brings strong leadership, deep knowledge of technology and an understanding of how to operate in markets that are changing rapidly. Steve joins OS at a time when we are developing a number of long-term customer and commercial relationships which continue to reinforce OS as a world class organisation.”
Steve will lead the national mapping agency at an exciting time for both OS and the wider international geospatial industry. Within Great Britain, geospatial data is being used to underpin innovative products and services, drive efficiencies across the public sector and support thousands of small businesses and start-ups. Globally, accurate and authoritative location data is being used to support economic growth, enable infrastructure, and help tackle challenges such as urbanisation and natural disasters. Steve will be responsible for delivering Ordnance Survey’s strategy both at a national and international level.
Steve Blair added: “I am extremely proud and thrilled to be taking up the role as CEO. Ordnance Survey is an iconic British organisation which plays an essential role in supporting both the private and public sectors with accurate location data. I am looking forward to combining my experience in technology and emerging markets with Ordnance Survey’s world leading geospatial data and expertise.”
OS works with a diverse range of customers and partners in government, business and consumer sectors across Great Britain and internationally. It produces and manages data of unparalleled depth, breadth and accuracy, maintaining the definitive record of Britain’s geographic features and producing innovative maps and services for a global customer base. OS has around 1,000 employees with a head office in Southampton, where Steve will be based.
About Steve Blair:
Steve was most recently the Chief Executive of e2v, a manufacturer of sensors, radio frequency generators and semiconductors. E2v was a listed company until its acquisition by Teledyne Technologies in March 2017. Previously Steve was Business Group Director for Spectris plc. Steve holds a BEng (hons) in Electronic Engineering from the University of Sheffield. Steve is an Independent Non-Executive Director of Oxford Instruments plc and holds the role of Senior Independent Director.
