The Team

Over the last 20 years Simon has worked with British government to help develop and integrate a common address and street platform for use in a wide range of day to day public sector applications. This experience has led to him assisting other governments and organisations around the world in developing strategies to introduce or improve their current address management systems. Simon has also been involved in a wide range of geospatial data focused projects both in the UK and across Europe including INSPIRE and the European Address Framework assisting with data modelling, technical design and implementation.

• Read's Simon's blog articles
  Mind the address gap
• Culture and Location. A Capital Idea

With over 24 years’ of experience in Enterprise Software Development and expert knowledge in strategic design and implementation of GeoSpatial, GIS and Gazetteer Management Solutions for local authorities and beyond, Radha heads the Products team within GeoPlace.

She is responsible for the overall management of Products systems and publication activities, together with co-ordination and management of external services. She leads the data publication and system processes including those between GeoPlace and Ordnance Survey. Radha is very customer focussed and continuously improves the services provided by GeoPlace to its key stakeholders. She is also responsible for the production of National Address Gazetteer from which AddressBase™ products from Ordnance Survey are produced.

Nick has worked in the property industry since 1980 and been a senior member of the team developing the NLPG from its creation to its re-birth as the National Address Gazetteer under GeoPlace in 2010.

With a wide range of practical experiences from extracting, cleaning and collating disparate address data sets to form local address gazetteers, through the analysis of regional and national address data sets for emergency services, public utilities and government departments and on to work on UK and European addressing standards, most areas of the world of property addresses have been covered.

Nick is head of the team responsible for the integration of third party data such as the VOA Council Tax and Non Domestic Rates data and Royal Mail data into the National Address Gazetteer and for one off research and analysis work for address users

Steve started working in the field of local government and gazetteers in 1998 after completing a degree in Geography. Initially part of a team of four, he helped set up the Local Government Information House (LGIH) Ltd (a subsidiary of the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government), with the aim of standardising local authority geographic data and taking it to market to support the modernisation and e-government agenda.

Steve built up a team of geographic information and local government experts within LGIH to manage the procurement of geographic information on behalf of the sector as well as taking forward the NLPG and NSG initiatives and being an advisor on local government geographic information more widely. After incubating the gazetteers at LGIH, Steve helped to set up GeoPlace to bring the work of local government and Ordnance Survey together in a joint venture. Steve is now responsible for GeoPlace's engagement with local government, wider stakeholder management and communications and marketing.

Read Steve's blog article:

• The Geospatial Commission – don’t miss the big opportunity

James brings over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, gained from working in service management roles in the private, public and non-profit sectors. With a focus on leveraging technology to improve business outcomes, his team looks to maximise value and efficiencies by utilising good practice, process improvements and automation.

James is responsible for delivery of the IT infrastructure and operational services that underpin GeoPlace's work. His in-house team develops, operates and secures systems from the desktop to the datacentre to the cloud, using a wide variety of technologies and services to deliver cost-effective and sustainable IT environments. He also leads on GeoPlace's business continuity and disaster recovery planning, coordinating across the company to reduce risk and improve resilience.

Stella is a former Geography student with a BSc in Geography and Information Technology who joined GeoPlace in January 2013 after spending 8 years managing the local address gazetteer at a local authority in Kent. Here she provided systems support and GIS training to council colleagues, as well as maintaining the address gazetteer to gold standard.

With over 20 years’ experience working with address and street data, Stella is responsible for leading the GeoPlace Help Desk Team who provide a wide range of support to address and street data creators and users. She has a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice and works on many projects driving improvements to the many services that GeoPlace offer. She is involved in creating content and delivering the address training courses GeoPlace offer and is focussed on providing a high level of support and customer service. This was demonstrated by being one of the finalists at the European Contact Centre and Customer Services awards in 2015 for ‘Customer Service Professional Of The Year’.

Barry has over 7 years experience of working on Local Address and Street Gazetteers, as well as 3 years experience of Street Naming and Numbering. He has experience of working for both a District and a Unitary Authority. He’s been working with GeoPlace since 2012, and is a former History student with a BA(Hons) in Contemporary Military and International History.

Having come from a legal background, Sara started working for Geoplace in 2013 as a Data Analyst. Her role has involved linking third party address data and ensuring that all local authority validation files are processed on a monthly basis and any necessary feedback given to Custodians. Sara joined the helpdesk team in 2019.

Having come from a customer service and sales background, Rachel has been working in local authorities since 2006 and has 13 years’ experience as a Street Naming and Numbering Officer/LLPG Custodian at Shropshire Council. Rachel joined the Helpdesk Team at GeoPlace in 2022.

Ruth joined the Helpdesk Team at GeoPlace in November 2023 as a Support Specialist. She previously worked as a Street Naming and Numbering and LLPG Officer at Cheshire West and Chester Council for 5 years. Here she achieved a Platinum award for address data quality.

At GeoPlace Ruth can share her previous knowledge of using GeoGateway Services and LA Dashboard. Ruth is passionate about providing good customer service and enjoys the investigative aspect of resolving address-based enquiries.

Ruth has a BA (Hons) in Cultural Studies from University of Leeds School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies. Her interests are art, heritage sites and nature.

Simon has worked with geographic data from around the world since 2001.

Originally a geoscientist, he has worked in a number of academic and government arenas. He managed the collection and curation of the NSG dataset for over 7 years and since 2017 has worked on data interoperability and integration of various datasets, maximising the opportunities of street and network data.

Simon has extensive experience of working with local authorities, government bodies and agencies, alongside the wider commercial sector.

He has a keen understanding of societal trends and the problems and opportunities they present. Simon is considered one of the country's leading experts in Street and Network data and its wider integration into real world solutions.

Simon has a broad knowledge of both practical implementation and legislative requirements in both creating and managing highway networks, and has been instrumental in improving street data usage and streamlining processes across the UK industry.

Read's Simon's blog article:

• Our changing transport landscape

Tamsin has supported businesses and organisations in a variety of sectors to transform the way they work. Her skills and experience will guide you in adopting the right products and services from GeoPlace, and help you achieve efficiencies whatever your market.

Tamsin has expertise in innovation and service development, if you want to try something new, she’s always happy to explore novel ideas and work with you to identify how GeoPlace can support your vision.

Luke is a chartered geographer and has an extensive career in GIS and data integration spanning both private and public sectors. He is currently the Data Integration and Development Manager at GeoPlace, responsible for supporting authorities in maximising their integration of address and street data (and their respective unique identifiers the UPRN and USRN) into their core systems.

Luke is an evangelist for local authority data integration and leveraging these linkages to obtain maximum RoI and insights to support better decision making. Luke guides authorities through this process by advising, supporting and demonstrating the art of the possible.

In addition, being the engagement lead between GeoPlace and local authority software suppliers, Luke offers this sector support and technical guidance on understanding and embedding the UPRN and USRN to help further assist local authorities in their service delivery obligations and data linking activities.

Luke is an FME Certified Professional.

Richard is a Chartered Geographer and is the Strategic Product & Data Development Manager at GeoPlace. He has proven experience in advisory services and project management for internal and external stakeholders in the development of data specifications, implementation and evaluation of permit schemes, implementation of lane rental schemes and systems and data quality improvements. He also has expertise in developing and testing market propositions and creating products and services around the collection, improvement and use of street related data

Richard has built strong relationships within a large and diverse community with over 1500 individuals, including Local Authorities and Central Government, statutory undertakers, Ordnance Survey, LGA, Emergency Services, and members of the public.

Previously as National Street Data Manager, he was an ambassador for the National Street Gazetteer (NSG) to local and central government including the provision of technical advice to a wider user base on the content and use of the NSG. Richard has also had previous experience of working in local government from his time as a Street Custodian at Kent County Council and as Address Custodian at Medway Council. Whilst at Kent Richard played an integral part in the implementation of the first Permit Scheme implemented in Kent and has since advised and helped authorities prepare their street data for permit schemes in his current role.

Hazel embarked on her journey at GeoPlace in 2021 upon completing her degree in Geography with Applied GIS. Within the Products team, she coordinated core production processes involved in the supply of Address and Streets data to Ordnance Survey and other customers.

Currently serving as Associate Product Manager within the Customer Insights team, Hazel plays a role in driving developments and management of DataVia, FindMyStreet and the HAUC App. Her role involves close collaboration with cross–functional teams to translate customer needs into actionable product features and improvements, to produce exceptional user experience. She is also pursuing a MSc in Geographical Information Science.

Gayle is Head of Marketing at GeoPlace. A core aspect of her role is uncovering innovative and impactful uses of geographic data by local governments and championing these as examples of best practice. Over 15 years at GeoPlace, Gayle has helped develop a vast library of case studies, documents, and presentations – but she's always on the lookout for more!

With a career spanning the geographic information industry, Gayle has held roles such as Deputy Director of the Association for Geographic Information and various sales positions within industry. Additionally, she serves as a ward councillor in the London Borough of Croydon, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges faced by local government and the profound impact of good (and bad) decision-making.

David Capon is the JAG(UK) Manager and has worked extensively with the JAG(UK) community in delivering improved communications, management of the network and local knowledge and expertise. Most notably, Dave has played a central role in the delivering of the permit legislation, guidance and operational advice. He has made a significant contribution to the finalisation of government sponsored Codes of Practice, regulations and impact assessments.

Dave regularly engages with the DfT, devolved Governments, Network Rail, Highways England, statutory undertakers and local authorities to deliver continuous improvement to the community. He works hard to support members authorities by: attending regular national, regional and local meetings, providing an on-line library of existing legislation, regulations, procedures and guidance for authorities and their officers, acting as an online advisory service and providing prompt guidance on emerging issues and delivering a focused approach as part of the GeoPlace/Local Government Association family.

Dave provides expertise to the Lane Rental Scheme delivery team.

Richard is responsible for defining and delivering the vision for insight led decision making within GeoPlace. Leading the Customer Insights team, we work with users, colleagues, and partners to ensure our strategy, roadmap and solutions meet your needs.

Richard has been integral in driving forward the quality and use of address and street data in Great Britain for the last 15 years. Bringing together broad sector knowledge, strong relationships and expertise gained by delivering national location data infrastructure projects. Richard was responsible for delivering the National Address Gazetteer, the first UK-wide spatial address dataset.

Read's Richard's blog articles:

• 5 Surprising ways addresses are making a difference in Great Britain
• How to identify gaps in the payment of non-domestic rates
• Persistent and well-behaved identifiers
• Predicting and preventing London’s next fire using predictive analytics and the Unique Property Reference Number
• Using the UPRN to improve collection of Land Transaction Tax in Wales
• What can food hygiene tell us about fire safety?
• UPRNs – Supporting the response to COVID-19

Iris is a GIS professional at GeoPlace who started her career as an Archaeologist in the Heritage Sector, analysing risks and impacts of archaeological assets for the Development Industry.

She joined the GeoPlace Insights Team in 2015 and has since been working extensively with Streets and Address data, supporting a wide range of projects across the industry. Her focus is on tackling geospatial challenges and improving data quality to gain better understanding and to achieve better results by addressing root causes and implementing successful solutions.

Iris’s skills in GIS automation make for efficient and repeatable analysis and mapping projects. Her skill set focusses on spatial data manipulation, spatial data analysis and modelling, developing workflows and processes with SQL and FME and creating visualisations and mapping with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS online and QGIS.

Iris’s passion is to see how spatial data changes our world, how it will shape our future and the crucial role that great data quality plays in this. She is constantly striving to explore new technologies and methodologies to support the sector in decision-making processes and in obtaining valid and valuable insights.

Her educational journey includes an MA in Prehistoric Archaeology and Egyptology at the University of Wuerzburg and an MSc in GIS at the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin.