Vanessa Lawrence Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Vanessa Lawrence CB FRGS FRICS FRSGS


Global Advisor for Geospatial Information to the World Bank Group
Incumbent
Assumed office 2015
President	Ajay Banga David Malpass Kristalina Georgieva (Acting) Jim Yong Kim
1st Co-chair of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM)
In office 2011–2015
Under Secretary-General	Wu Hongbo Sha Zukang
Director-General and Chief Executive, Ordnance Survey
In office 2000 – April 2014
Preceded by	David Willey
Succeeded by	Neil Ackroyd

Personal details
Born	(1962-07-14) 14 July 1962 (age 63) Amersham, Buckinghamshire
Nationality	British
Occupation	Geographer

Vanessa Vivienne Lawrence (born 14 July 1962) is a British businessperson and geographer. She is well-known for her important work with maps and global information.

For 14 years, until April 2014, she was the leader of Ordnance Survey. This is Great Britain's official mapping agency. She was the first woman to hold this important job. She also held the role longer than anyone else in over a hundred years.

In 2015, Vanessa Lawrence became a global advisor for geospatial information. She works with the World Bank Group. This group helps countries around the world.

That same year, she joined the board of the Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd. She also became a director at Location International. She advises groups like the Urban Big Data Centre.

Vanessa Lawrence's Career Highlights
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Vanessa Lawrence's Career Highlights

Vanessa Lawrence has had a very successful career. She has received many awards and honors for her work.

Early Career and Government Work

Before working for the government, Vanessa Lawrence worked for companies like Autodesk and Pearson plc. These companies are involved in software and publishing.

She later worked for the government. She helped start and lead the Association of Chief Executives (ACE). This group represented leaders of government agencies. She also chaired a group that created the UK's location strategy. This strategy was called "Place Matters."

Leading Ordnance Survey

Vanessa Lawrence became the Director-General of Ordnance Survey in 2000. This agency creates and updates maps of Great Britain. Under her leadership, Ordnance Survey became a modern mapping organization. She helped them use new technologies.

Working with the United Nations

In 2011, the United Nations chose Vanessa Lawrence for a big role. She became the first co-chair of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).

She worked in this role for four years. She helped UN-GGIM become a top global authority. This group helps governments and businesses use geographic information. When she left, the UN thanked her for her great leadership. They said she helped the world understand how important maps and location data are.

Awards and Recognition

Vanessa Lawrence has received many honors. In 2008, she was made a Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB). This is a special award in the UK.

She has also been recognized by many professional groups. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

She received the Royal Scottish Geographical Society's Scottish Geographical Medal. This award is for people with great merit and worldwide fame. She was also named the Geospatial Person of the Decade for 2000-2010.

Current Roles and Contributions

Vanessa Lawrence continues to be very active. She is an Honorary Colonel for the 135 Geographic Squadron Royal Engineers. She is also an Honorary Group Captain in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

She is a professor at the University of Southampton. She is also a trustee of the Royal Geographical Society. She supports charities like The Cure Parkinson's Trust and MapAction. In 2020, she joined the board of the Alan Turing Institute. This institute focuses on data science and artificial intelligence.

Vanessa Lawrence facts for kids

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