AGI Cymru

James Wardroper (AGI Cymru Chair)  GI Technical Consultant, Ordnance Survey

James is a GI Technical Consultant at Ordnance Survey helping government customers maximize the business benefit from the use of geography. He has over twenty years’ experience in GIS.  Before working for Ordnance Survey he setup a cutting-edge GIS solution for land managers.  He has a MSc in GIS, is a Chartered Geographer, and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Pam Whitham (AGI Cymru Representative on Council) - Strategic Development Manager at Ordnance Survey

Pam has over 20 years’ experience with Ordnance Survey in providing support for the use of Public Sector Geospatial Mapping Data to underpin policy in Wales and England with a particular focus on Housing and Land Administration. Pam has previously been Chair of AGI Cymru and has been an active member of the AGI Cymru committee for many years.

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 - DataMapWales Lead Product Manager, Welsh Government FRGS 

Kev has worked in Public Sector since 1983,  briefly working in Civil and Highways Engineering, progressing through ICT and specialising in Geospatial software and development, particularly open source software.  Managed ICT Services including GIS, Software development, frontline and customer services.  Kev is an evangelist for FOSS4G open source geospatial software and is a voting member on OSGeo QGIS Project.

Currently working on secondment from Neath Port Talbot Council to Welsh Government as Lead Product Manager for DataMapWales, the Welsh Public Sector Geospatial data portal/service.  Kev was the lead on the All Wales Mapping Service contract and continues to strive for collaborative opportunities in Wales.

He works with community projects and schools to advance their understanding of geography and applications of geospatial technology.  His interests include photography, drones, walking, running, gardening, watercolours, craft brewing, and wildlife conservation.  Married with 4 children and 4 granddaughters that keep him very busy!

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 4 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.

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 - Geographic Analyst, Central Government

As a keen geographer with a passion for the environment, Natalie studied Geography and then Conservation Management at University. This naturally led her to start a geospatial career as an Environmental GIS Consultant where she combined her interests in nature and geospatial by applying her geographic expertise to support research and policy activities in the field of ecosystem services. Now, as a Geographic Analyst, she provides dedicated spatial analysis to support delivery of evidence based policy across the broad remit of central government.

Natalie is a long-standing member and has previously been Chair and Vice-Chair of AGI Cymru. Natalie is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with IBG and a member of the Government Geography profession.

David Pegg - Director Consulting Services, CGI

David has 25 years’ experience of delivering geospatial services and applications in the environmental, energy and Government. He started his career as a GIS Analyst looking at where to site large scale renewable energy installations. He currently leads a team of geospatial software engineers helping to deliver ‘the power of where’ to our Government clients, these include Welsh Government, Defra, Valuation Office Agency, Coal Authority and several others. Our mantra is to build open systems based on open standards.

Ollie Bowden - Committee Member and Wales Representative

Ollie is a Technical Relationship Consultant at Ordnance Survey. He graduated Cardiff University with a BSc in Biology, before working as a consultant in the environmental sector. As an Ecologist he developed GIS skills that he utilised across the public and private sector, before fully specialising in GI. Ollie is excited to be a part of the ECN and keen to support other early career professionals. Being the Wales Coordinator Ollie is looking forward to helping connect and empower other young professionals within Wales.