With the end of 2016 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top officials to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2017 – and shed some light on their festive favourites. Nigel Clifford, chief executive of Ordnance Survey takes part in our annual perm secs round-up...
What was your highlight of 2016?
As a digital organisation, OS has the opportunity to work with other digital organisations to create a brand new experience for consumers. This has led to one of my highlights of the year – working in Manchester and Greenwich to experiment in the fields of autonomous vehicles and smart cities. In Manchester, we are in the early phases of a real-world pilot: seeing how a combination of citizens, data feeds, geography and technology can improve a segment of the city. This is a fascinating project and we are hugely excited to be part of the consortium. On a personal note, having the opportunity to be on Clare Balding’s BBC Radio 4 show Ramblings, and walking in one of my favourite parts of the country was terrific.
What has been the most significant change in your organisation this year?
This year we marked 225 years of capturing and supplying authoritative location data that is integral to the prosperity and wellbeing of the nation. We also committed to a strategy that focuses on supporting Britain to continue to be at the forefront of geospatial use and value. Hence our involvement in the projects above. Additionally, we have committed to using the learning and technology we develop in Britain to help support nations and cities overseas who face similar problems of resilience, security, and supporting an ageing, urbanised population in a social media and connected age.
What will be the biggest challenge of 2017 - and how are you preparing to meet it?
One of the challenges we will face as we roll out our plans is how to balance the deployment of the highly skilled OS people in GB and overseas.
What was the best Christmas present that you've ever given or received? And the worst?
I obviously dream of a customised map– see the OS website for a super gift idea!! However, the best ever present was a Raleigh Olympus 10 speed racing bike with a Brooks saddle, in blue and white – my pride and joy at the age of 11.
More: Perm secs round-up 2016 – Britain's top civil servants review the year and look ahead to 2017