Location and property data start-ups could be in line to receive funding, business support and the strategic backing of Ordnance Survey (OS) and HM Land Registry (HMLR)

The Geovation Programme is now accepting applications from start-ups using location and/or land and property data in their products and services. If selected to join the Programme, the start-ups will each receive up to £20,000 in funding and a range of resources and services to help develop their businesses. This includes access to experienced software developers, geospatial expertise from OS, property expertise from HMLR, and mentoring to assist with business proposals and investor relationships.

Geovation has been specially designed to offer the best possible support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups and individuals that are using geospatial technology and data to create new products and services. At the start of 2018, Geovation was presented with an international award from the Geospatial World Forum who awarded Geovation its Geospatial Hub of the Year Award. The jury noted that “Geovation has successfully connected individuals and SMEs and created opportunities, envisioned solutions and brought differentiation”.

Geovation members are using location and property data and new technologies to help transform a variety of sectors, including property, mobility and transport, infrastructure, energy, health, and connectivity. Since opening its doors two years ago, Geovation has seen the ventures it has supported raise £12.7 million in investment and created 90 new jobs.

Head of Geovation Alex Wrottesley said:

We offer an exceptional launchpad to PropTech and GeoTech businesses. Programme Members can expect funding, space and data, experienced technical development capacity, and tailored mentorship and support to help develop their business ideas. To be recognised by our international peers with an award for facilitating industry collaboration and adding value to projects critical to the success of the nation’s digital economy was pleasing and unexpected. The recognition is also a compliment to the excellent work of the Geovation team and the support we receive from Ordnance Survey and HM Land Registry. We’re very much future-focused and are looking forward to meeting and working with next group of Programme Members, and being a part of their story and them ours.

John Abbott, Director of Digital, Data and Technology at HM Land Registry, said:

The programme is delivering terrific results, so we are delighted to continue our support for the next tranche of start-ups working on property-related services to make transactions simpler, faster and cheaper for everyone. We expect to see the benefits of this investment across legal, financial and property sectors – stimulating growth for the wider economy and bringing more opportunities to the UK.

Miranda Sharp, Director of Innovation at Ordnance Survey, said:

Combining new technologies and innovative business models to address social and economic challenges lies at the heart of the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy. Geovation embodies this. It’s an exciting time for Ordnance Survey, and for the geospatial community at large. With the emergence of technologies that have the potential to transform our world and the way we live and do business, I feel we’re on the verge of something special. It will be a data-driven world where place is the common factor, which is going to be core to getting value from data connecting, and Geovation is at the heart of this.

For further information, examples of businesses, interviews, and images, contact Keegan Wilson at Ordnance Survey:

About Geovation

Geovation is an Ordnance Survey Initiative in association with HM Land Registry, which is dedicated to supporting open innovation and collaboration using location and property data. Location is at the heart of many of the most successful digital products and services. Land and property is the foundation of our national economy.

About HM Land Registry

1. HM Land Registry is a government department created in 1862. It operates as an executive agency and a trading fund and its running costs are covered by the fees paid by the users of its services. Its ambition is to become the world’s leading land registry for speed, simplicity and an open approach to data.

2. HM Land Registry safeguards land and property ownership worth in excess of £4 trillion, including around £1 trillion of mortgages. The Land Register contains more than 25 million titles, which show evidence of ownership, for some 85% of the land mass in England and Wales.

3. For further information about HM Land Registry visit our website.

4. Follow us on Twitter @HMLandRegistry, our blog, LinkedIn and Facebook.

The new rules will give consumers peace of mind that those at the top of the big insurers will be held personally responsible for any wrongdoing. The rules will also ensure that a code of conduct is set out for all staff, and that employees who do a job where they could do significant harm to consumers, or to the UK’s financial stability, are approved annually by their firm.

John Glen, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister said:

Britain’s first-class regulation is one of many reasons our country is so attractive for financial services investment. The Senior Managers and Certification Regime plays a big part in this, ensuring that those at the top display the behaviours and values that the British people expect.

The extension of the Regime to insurance firms will ensure individual accountability for misconduct at the most senior levels within the insurance sector.

The Senior Managers and Certification Regime, first introduced for banks and building societies in 2016, will be extended to include insurance firms from 10 December 2018. Currently the Regime applies to banks, building societies, credit unions, investment firms and UK branches of foreign banks. The government previously legislated to extend the Regime across all financial services firms. The extension into insurance is the start of this.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are also consulting on how the Regime will apply when it is extended to include smaller firms regulated only by the FCA (also known as solo-regulated firms).

Consultant meeting with a patient to discuss healthcare options.

Strengthened statutory guidance will be available for pig and poultry keepers on how to meet the needs of their animals and enhance their welfare.

Welfare codes for pigs, laying hens, and meat chickens are being updated to reflect the very latest advice from vets and animal husbandry developments, as part of a programme of reforms to safeguard and enhance the welfare of animals, the Minister for animal welfare, Lord Gardiner announced today.

Minister for Animal welfare, Lord Gardiner, said:

We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and are going further, including raising maximum sentences for animal cruelty to five years and introducing mandatory CCTV in abattoirs.

We are carefully consulting with industry experts, and using the most recent scientific and veterinary advice to ensure this clear guidance provides the best advice to owners and keepers to help ensure the high welfare standards of their animals.

Under the proposals, animal keepers will be expected to provide a more enriched environment for all pigs, laying hens, and meat chickens to enable them to display more of their natural behaviours such as foraging, helping to ensure more fulfilled and healthier animals. The user-friendly codes also provide detailed guidance to animal keepers on how to assess the welfare of their animals, as well as on contingency planning to help ensure the welfare of their animals during any emergencies.

The codes will be used by enforcement bodies including Animal and Plant Health Agency inspectors and local authorities when investigating allegations of poor welfare to look at whether animal welfare standards are being met.

A six week consultation begins today (29 January) where government is seeking views from industry and stakeholders. The new guidance is expected to be available later this year.

1. View the consultations on the pigs and laying hens codes
2. View the meat chicken draft codes
3. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 covers all animals in England, and details their five welfare needs.
4. For further media queries, please contact Defra press office on 020 8225 7318 or 020 8026 3005.