London – At a ceremony at this year’s GEO Business event, the Association for Geographic Information (AGI) presented five awards to recipients of the highest calibre recognising excellence within the geospatial sector.
Fergus Craig, Co-Chair of the AGI, presented David Henderson with the Chairperson’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Geospatial Community. Chief Geospatial Officer at Ordnance Survey, David Henderson has over 30 years in the geospatial industry representing the UK’s geospatial capabilities both nationally and internationally. He has held numerous positions with the AGI, including Honorary Secretary, Vice-Chair, and Chair, is a Chartered Geographer, and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
Liz Fox-Tucker, Professional and Policy Manager at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), presented Dr Andew Tatum, founder and director of WorldPop, with the award for Excellence with Impact for his work to ensure populations around the world are counted and mapped so they can be included in decision and policy making.
Lauren Holland, Lead for Education at Hexagon Geosystems, an AGI partner member, awarded Sabbir Delowar, of Map Impact, the award for Excellence with Impact for its climate service project, examining a range of indicators affecting water quality in Lake Windermere, England’s largest freshwater lake.
Will Robertshaw, Geospatial and AI Engineer at Ramboll was presented with the Early Career Professional of the Year award by Denise McKenzie, Managing Partner at the PLACE Trust. With just 3 years in geospatial, Robertshaw is the co-founder and lead developer of District One, AI enabled heat network design software.
Ollie Hughes, Event Director of GEO Business, the UK’s largest geospatial event and host to the AGI award ceremony, presented Dr Egbe Manners, Product Manager at Ordnance Survey, with the Geospatial Professional of the Year award for her work to create and launch the Emergency Services Gazetteer harnessing the power of location to save lives.
“This is the first time we have run the awards ceremony in 10 years so there was much to celebrate and recognise,” commented Fergus Craig, Co-Chair of the Association for Geographic Information. “We were delighted with the number of entries we received, from all sectors of the industry, and we want to thank those who took time to make a submission or put forward a nomination. I would also like to thank our panel of judges who had the difficult task of choosing the winners from the high-quality entries.”
“The AGI holds a special place in my heart and has been part of my geospatial journey for as long as I can remember so it is a real honour to be presented with this award,” said David Henderson, recipient of the AGI Chairperson’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Geospatial Community. “When I first got involved with the AGI there was a much greater focus on technical aspects but, as an organisation, it has matured and is now more about us as people and us as a community. Today, the AGI is inclusive and provides a platform for us to celebrate our diversity, with members collaboratively developing the growth of the industry and the professionals that make it.
“However, the AGI doesn’t exist without volunteers so I urge all members to roll up their sleeves and get involved. Join one of the AGI special interest or regional groups, share your experience and expertise as a mentor, or ask for the support you need from the Early Careers Network. The AGI is us and we are the AGI and by working together and supporting one another, we will ensure that the collective value of our work underpins a safe, sustainable and successful Britain.
The Association for Geographic Information (AGI) is the UK’s geospatial membership organisation; leading, connecting and developing a community of members who use and benefit from geographic information. An independent and impartial organisation, the AGI works with members and the wider community alongside government policy makers, delivers professional development and provides a lead for best practice across the industry. The AGI will also work closely with award winners and nominated entries to ensure the communication of excellence and the sharing of best practice throughout the sector and the wider community.
