Mapping the Future: Geospatial’s role in Mission-Driven Government

Geospatial data has quietly become one of the most transformative tools in government operations. It enables evidence-based decisions that span everything from infrastructure development to public safety, while also helping streamline planning processes and optimise resources.

Nick Bolton, CEO of Ordnance Survey (OS), sat down with Government Transformation Magazine to discuss how geospatial intelligence underpins effective public policy, as well as the impact that AI and the start-up ecosystem can have on public sector innovation.

For Bolton, the value of geospatial data lies not in the data itself but in its application to real-world challenges. He remarked, "Data itself has no intrinsic value. It only has value when it is perfectly applied to a problem domain."

This sentiment underpins OS’s mission to use geospatial information as a foundational resource for tackling the UK government’s most pressing missions, from economic growth and energy sustainability to health, crime, and social opportunity.

Bolton’s perspective on the importance of geospatial data is particularly relevant in today’s policy environment. As the UK grapples with challenges such as housing shortages, infrastructure pressures, and climate adaptation, the ability to map and analyse spatial data provides a crucial advantage. By offering a clear picture of the land, infrastructure, and population dynamics, OS empowers decision-makers to address these issues with precision and agility.

Mission-Driven Geospatial

The Government’s emphasis on taking a 'mission-driven' approach underscores the relevance of geospatial data. Bolton explained that the five core missions - economic growth, clean energy, safer streets, access to opportunity, and health - are all intrinsically tied to location-based insights.

For example, the economy benefits from optimised infrastructure and logistics networks, energy planning requires detailed maps of distribution networks, and health services need spatial analysis to locate clinics and manage emergency resources.

"In all of these missions, we are being included in the conversations, which we think is just tremendous," Bolton said. This engagement reflects a growing recognition of OS’s role as more than just a mapping agency. Its geospatial intelligence is now seen as critical to achieving national goals.

Bolton provided some examples of how geospatial data supports each mission. In energy, for instance, the transition to renewable power hinges on understanding where infrastructure gaps exist and where resources can be deployed most effectively.

Geospatial data helps answer fundamental questions, such as whether to bring offshore wind power to specific points on the coast or further inland to reduce costs. Similarly, in health, OS data guides the placement of ambulance stations or pop-up clinics, ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most.

This alignment with mission-driven government underscores the versatility and value of geospatial intelligence. For the public sector, it demonstrates the need to integrate spatial data into strategic planning processes to address interlocking challenges.

Embedding expertise in Government

A significant organisational shift in government has strengthened the environment in which OS operates.

The decision in July for the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) to integrate teams from Government Digital Service (GDS) and Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) positioned the department as the new home for digital expertise within government.

DSIT was already responsible for overseeing OS, so this reorganisation signalled a commitment to consolidating digital and data capabilities under a single department focused on innovation and transformation.

Bolton described DSIT as the ideal hub for advancing geospatial intelligence, stating, "Geospatial is a golden thread that runs through digital services, connecting data with place, and giving citizens their time back." By aligning with DSIT, OS is now better positioned to contribute to the government’s mission-driven approach, benefiting from DSIT’s emphasis on fostering collaboration and driving innovation across departments.

The shift to DSIT has brought greater synergy with the government’s broader digital transformation efforts. This move integrates geospatial insights with other critical national data initiatives, such as those managed by the Office for National Statistics. Bolton highlighted how this more unified structure is creating a more connected and efficient digital ecosystem, enabling OS to amplify its impact across government.

Supporting the growth agenda

One of the most significant applications of geospatial data lies in its ability to support economic growth and infrastructure development. As Bolton noted, "The value of geospatial data is in its ability to make planning more precise, efficient, and evidence-based."

This is especially critical in a country like the UK, where land use is complex, and infrastructure demands are high.

Bolton cited OS’s partnership with the Digital Task Force for Planning as an example of how geospatial data is shaping the future of urban and rural development. This initiative aims to modernise planning processes by identifying optimal locations for new towns and infrastructure projects.

Unlike traditional planning, which often relies on local authorities to propose developments, the task force takes a top-down approach, using geospatial data to ensure new developments are strategically located.

The role of geospatial data in infrastructure planning extends beyond location selection. It also supports long-term sustainability by analysing factors such as connectivity, land use efficiency, and environmental impact. This level of precision not only streamlines planning processes but also ensures that infrastructure investments deliver maximum value.

For local government DDaT executives, the implications are profound. Geospatial data can help councils navigate planning reforms, address housing shortages, and meet sustainability targets - all while reducing costs and accelerating timelines.

AI is transforming geospatial capabilities

AI is revolutionising how OS collects, processes, and uses geospatial data. Bolton described AI as a continuum, with OS already well advanced in putting machine learning technologies into production.

"We’ve been using machine learning for over a decade," he said. "It’s not an experiment for us - it’s how we generate features into the National Geospatial Database on a day-to-day basis."

OS’s AI capabilities include automatic feature extraction from aerial imagery, a process that significantly reduces the cost and time required to update maps. Bolton also discussed emerging AI technologies, such as conversational interfaces that could democratise access to geospatial data.

"Imagine asking for a map of buildings over five floors in Jakarta, built from timber structures, more than 10 miles from the nearest fire station," he said. "That’s the kind of insight AI can deliver in seconds."

However, Bolton emphasised the need for ongoing experimentation with AI. OS is funding PhD research into areas such as large language models and image diffusion networks to stay at the forefront of innovation. For DDaT leaders, this highlights the importance of balancing production-ready AI applications with exploratory research to unlock new capabilities.

The innovation agenda

Ordnance Survey’s Geovation programme exemplifies how established organisations can work with startups to drive innovation and solve pressing challenges. Acting as a bridge between OS’s geospatial expertise and the creativity of early-stage companies, Geovation supports startups using location-based data to address critical issues across the public and private sectors.

Bolton highlighted that the programme provides much more than access to geospatial data: "Startups need more than data - they need advice on strategy, sales, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship."

This comprehensive support helps startups overcome barriers often encountered when scaling innovative solutions, particularly in sectors as complex as geospatial technology.

Geovation’s impact extends beyond individual startups. Bolton noted that much of the innovation it fosters comes from its ability to connect startups within broader networks, including other incubators and accelerators across the UK.

"Innovation often emerges from networks rather than isolated efforts," Bolton said. By collaborating with non-geospatial incubators, Geovation enables startups to access complementary expertise and expand their opportunities to make meaningful contributions to public and private sector goals.

The programme also serves as a critical source of insight for OS. Startups often identify emerging needs or applications that OS can incorporate into its own products and services. This feedback loop ensures that OS remains agile and responsive to the evolving demands of its stakeholders, while startups benefit from access to OS’s network of partners and customers.

Bolton also stressed the need for broader systemic support for startups in the UK, advocating for programmes similar to the US Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) initiative. This initiative allocates government contracts exclusively to small businesses, allowing them to compete without being overshadowed by larger corporations.

"Small grants can make a huge difference for startups, enabling them to take risks and scale their ideas," he said. He suggested that the UK could amplify the impact of programmes like Innovate UK by creating more tailored opportunities for startups to work with government.

For DDaT executives, Geovation offers a compelling blueprint for engaging startups. By leveraging incubators like Geovation, government agencies can foster a culture of innovation and experimentation while solving real-world problems. Bolton’s call to action was clear: "If you think we can solve a problem, reach out. We’re uniquely positioned to work with government under the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement and actually support them in exploring their ideas."

Geovation demonstrates the value of collaboration between government, established organisations, and startups, reinforcing the idea that innovation is most impactful when nurtured through shared expertise and aligned goals. For public sector leaders, embracing these partnerships could unlock transformative solutions that benefit citizens and government alike.