Meet the team mapping Britain
As part of our series to introduce you to the amazing people within OS, meet Jean Martin. As a Senior Production Consultant, she tells us about her 36+ years at OS and how she got into engineering…
How long have you worked for OS?
I have just celebrated 36 years at OS in May and honestly, I don’t know where the time has gone. I started my career as a Field Surveyor in Scotland, moving south after a few years to work in Photogrammetric Services (now known as Remote Sensing Services (RSS)). This was my first introduction to the fascinating world of aerial photography acquisition.
I have been very lucky in my career at OS with a variety of roles and opportunities alongside having my family. I have worked across OS in Internal Comms, Corporate Office, Business Centre, Training and Data Quality Improvement. Within RSS I have also worked across many flowlines within the production and management and consultancy teams.
How long have you been in your current role?
I have very recently taken on a new challenge and have moved roles in RSS from being the Flying Team Production Manager to the Senior Production Consultant. I am pleased to continue my career in the RSS at OS.
Can you describe your working day?
Right now I am busy with handover work, getting to know my new team of Production Consultants, their current work and starting my consultancy journey making new contacts, listening and learning from colleagues in other teams across OS.
Having previously been focused on weather watching and aircraft tracking managing the Flying team and being focused skywards, I now find myself focusing on the OS systems. I am continuing to lead and manage the team’s focus on RSS future capabilities roadmap, supporting process improvements and efficiencies to be best value for RSS and OS across all the different business units.
What are you working on right now?
This week I'm working on our RSS Future Capability Roadmap and Strategy as well as working with other parts of OS such as Product & Innovation on how RSS teams can support ongoing and new proof of concepts.
A priority focus is also supporting OS in the Future Ways of Working project that has come about as a result of Covid-19. Understanding the requirements for the RSS team to enable office, home and hybrid working is important as we follow government guidelines and production requirements.
What is your favourite part of your job?
For me at the moment getting to know my new team, supporting their work and development. I also enjoy working with my colleagues in the RSS management team as they're enthusiastic, hardworking and dedicated to OS and our customers. They are a great bunch to be spending my day working alongside, both in the office and virtually on screens.
What is your OS highlight?
I have been fortunate working with our data, hosting visitors and customers at OS which have included some famous faces and Royalty. Meeting Prince Phillip was a highlight when he visited RSS on his tour of Explorer House a few years ago and meeting my hero, Sir Michael Palin, when he was President of the Geographical Society.
Working during COVID-19 Pandemic has not been a highlight as such but has been a time unlike any other in my career at OS.
As well as the challenges presented by changing flying location and working with a new aircraft supplier, I had to lead the Flying Unit in making adjustments to ensure safe working within government and health guidelines. I am proud to say this did not prevent the team achieving record breaking volumes of data!
What are you excited to work on (or continue working on) in the future?
I am excited about supporting Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA) and the many new requirements for the Operations team to supply. I look forward to working and supporting the career development of my team and pushing myself and my learning more about new technologies and implementing these to benefit OS. Even after 36 years, every day is still a school day and keeps me smiling!
How did you get into this field?
I've always been a keen geographer have always been interested in maps and the environment around us as well as working with people and teams and so have loved working for OS in the many and varied roles, both technical and managerial.
What tips would you give to someone looking to apply?
A keen eye for detail, focus on accuracy and quality and being passionate and enthusiastic about the work we do for OS and our customers.
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