AGI CYMRU

Pam Whitham (AGI Cymru Chair) Relationship Manager - Ordnance Survey

Pam has over 20 years experience as a Relationship Manager at Ordnance Survey and has been a member of the AGI Cymru committee for 3 years. Pam provides support for the use of Public Sector Mapping Data to underpin policy in Wales and England with a particular focus on transport, infrastructure and the Environment.

Rares Ciurezu (AGI Cymru Deputy Vice-Chair) - Transport Modeller - WSP

Rares is a transport modeller based in Cardiff with a range of experience in traffic modelling, geospatial analysis and writing business cases for transport schemes. Rares graduated with a First-Class Honours in Business & Management from the Bath Business School in 2017 where he was firstly introduced to the world of GIS through undertaking a geography module. Rares then used his interest and knowledge of GIS to help him excel in the marketing and operations management modules.

Rares is also an advocate for open data, having undertaken his undergraduate research on the open data barriers for SMEs focusing on the Bath & Bristol area. Rares has an interest in cartography and when he is not watching football (Cardiff City) or running a local 10k, Rares designs maps of stadiums and arenas from across the world under the Stadiamap.com umbrella. Rares created maps of all 12 stadiums used in the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia of which he received numerous admiration and interest.

Morgan Commins (AGI Cymru Representative on Council) - Data Management Specialist, Ordnance Survey

Morgan is an environmental scientist and data professional with proven service delivery and collaboration experience across large corporates, start-ups, academia and the public sector. Morgan uses his knowledge to shape the data behind Ordnance Survey products to meet the needs of customers. He led spatial data strategy in Welsh local government, successfully transforming geospatial services by delivering spatial data to thousands of users via open geospatial tools. Morgan is a long-standing member and Past Chair of AGI Cymru. He represents Welsh interests on AGI Council since 2018.

Morgan is a Chartered Geographer and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with IBG. He champions biological and cultural diversity and is an advocate for walking, open source, sustainable models of resource distribution, sound money, blockchain, data ethics and the role of location in improving society. Morgan’s early affinity for technology and the natural world bloomed into studies of the spatial and temporal patterns of life – earth observation applications were a natural fit for his macro worldview. He explores places less travelled, from lemurs in Madagascar to albatrosses in the sub-Antarctic, seeking simple moments of natural connection. “Joy, kindness and knowledge only grow when shared.”

Dave Roberts - Head of Geography, Knowledge and Analytical Services - Welsh Government

Dave has worked in the spatial industry since 1996. Starting in work in the oil industry before moving into government. He has also worked overseas and offshore in the private sector for a number of years before settling back in Wales and moving back into government. Dave has previously been the AGI Cymru chair and AGI council member. Dave has also been in the Royal Naval Reserve for 26 years teaching navigation.

Kevin Williams - ICT Software Development and GI Team Leader - Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Kev has 35 years experience in Local Government covering Engineering, ICT and GIS up to management level. FOSS4G evangelist and AGI Cymru Committee member for over 3 years. Kev was the lead on the All Wales Mapping Service contract and continues to strive for collaborative opportunities in Wales. Also, holds the GeoBeer coordinator role for AGI Cymru!

Tomos Nolan - GIS Analyst - Environment Systems Ltd

Tomos’ passion for the environment led him to study Environmental Science at Aberystwyth University. He is a GIS and aerial photography analyst who has been in the field for 3 years. At Environment Systems he provides GIS support and advice whilst working with large scale spatial and statistical analysis. He is experienced in a range of GIS software including QGIS, ArcGIS and FME that he uses for varying scaled spatial data analysis and development.

As well as being a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he enjoys the outdoors as an IronMan triathlete and avid Audax cyclist which he does to raise funds for charity.

Sue Beetlestone

A long-standing member of the AGI and of this group. Coming from a background in Geography I began my GIS career in Powys County Council as a GIS Assistant and over the ensuing years developed from that to become the Senior GIS Officer there. It was an exciting time with Powys being one of the core early adopters of the fledgling OS MasterMap.

I was fortunate to be encouraged and enabled to improve my skills by those I worked with and to be able to take part in Welsh and UK organisations and working groups thereby meeting up with others working with spatial data. Apart from being a past chair of AGI Cymru I have also chaired the Mapinfo User group and worked with advisory groups including representing Wales on the Local Government Association working group for the creation of the NLPG.

In retirement I retain a keen interest in spatial data and volunteer for the RNLI as Water Safety officer at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station. Stations in the region call on my analytical and mapping skills from time to time, especially for beach safety signage.

Natalie Small (AGI Cymru Past Chair) Advisor - Natural Resources Wales

Natalie’s background is in Human and Physical Geography and she pursued her strong interest in geospatial and the natural environment further by completing a Master of Science in Environmental Conservation Management. Natalie has 10 years’ professional geospatial experience across the commercial, academic and local government sectors. Her expertise is demonstrated through the application of GIS and spatial analysis to support research and policy activities in the fields of sustainability, environment, socioeconomics, and integrated geography. Currently, Natalie consolidates her technical expertise to deliver consistent geographic information services and spatial analysis of land, property and customer data across the authority. Natalie is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with IBG.

  Being an AGI member plays a key role in our partnership and engagement activities, corporate membership allows our team to network and engage with like-minded geospatial professionals. AGI membership allows us to get involved with National groups so that we can discuss specific Welsh policies and implications.

Adam Burke – Natural Resources Wales - Lead Specialist Advisor Geospatial

  I really enjoy the networking opportunities that AGI offer. Finding out what other people in the industry are doing and how I can become involved through events and customer support are really helpful in my role. 

Pam Whitham, Ordnance Survey