Nicholson appointed to Government Advisory Panel

05 February 2008, 2:21pm

Michael Wills MP, Secretary of State for the UK Ministry of Justice has appointed Michael Nicholson, Managing Director of Intelligent Addressing and Chairman of the LOCUS Association as an Expert Member of the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information (APPSI).

Nicholson’s track record of achievement in the area of geospatial information and his experience as a re-user of Public Sector Information (PSI) meant that he provided sound evidence of the skills and experience required for members of APPSI.

Members of APPSI are appointed for a three year term and are expected to ensure that the Advisory Panel is fully aware of developments within the information market in their area of expertise. With geospatial information comprising the largest proportion of
PSI in Europe, Nicholson will use his knowledge to help shape policy to enable PSI to be used to its full potential.

Commenting on his appointment, Nicholson said “This appointment comes at an exciting time as Government reviews its policies on the creation, consumption and re-use of public sector information. A number of government reports relating to maximising PSI have recently been published with a significant report from the Treasury expected in the next month. I will use my time on APPSI to work to unlock the value of PSI so that it can be re–used and reinvigorated outside of government to generate public and economic value.”

Established by the Cabinet Office in 2003, the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information (APPSI) is a Non-Departmental Public Body of the Ministry of Justice. Its role is:
• To advise Ministers on how to encourage and create opportunities in the information industry for greater re-use of public sector information;
• To advise the Director of the Office of Public Sector Information and Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office about changes and opportunities in the information industry, so that OPSI can keep the licensing of Crown copyright information in step with modern developments and help promote the re-use of public sector information
• To review and consider complaints under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 and advise on the impact of the complaints procedures under those regulations.

Intelligent Addressing is a specialist private sector consultancy (an SME) employing recognised experts in addressing. It was originally set up to help develop the NationalLand and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) on behalf of local government and now manages the NLPG and NSG central data hubs under the terms of the Mapping Services Agreement (MSA) with local government.

Intelligent Addressing contact:
Gayle Gander, Head of Marketing
T: 0207 747 3500, E-mail: queries@intelligent-addressing.co.uk, www.intelligent-addressing.co.uk

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