Ordnance Survey, the United Kingdom’s national mapping agency, has reported record revenue growth for the year ending in March, underscoring its shift from traditional paper maps to digital location data services. The organisation recorded revenue of approximately £199 million, representing a 2.1% increase compared to the previous year and marking its tenth consecutive year of growth.
Founded in 1791 originally to map the British coastline for military purposes, Ordnance Survey has transformed into a data-focused operation providing detailed geographic information crucial for both public and private sectors. While paper maps, once synonymous with the agency, now account for only about 5% of its revenue, the majority is generated from digital mapping products and services that support emergency services, utility management, property transactions, and logistics.
A key component of Ordnance Survey’s recent expansion is its role in supplying trusted digital location data, which has become increasingly vital as businesses and government bodies rely more heavily on geospatial information for decision-making. The agency maintains the National Geographic Database, which includes over 600 million geographic features, and has mapped 80% of the buried pipes and cables featured in the National Underground Asset Register.
Ordnance Survey’s chief executive, Nick Bolton, highlighted growing demand for “trusted location data” as central to the agency’s current strategy. Bolton noted the completion of a six-year initiative to strengthen OS’s data foundation has positioned the organisation to make its data more accessible to a broader range of users, including both private and public entities. The agency’s efforts coincide with the 225th anniversary of its first map, reflecting a long history of innovation in mapping technologies.
The agency also benefits from significant long-term government partnerships, notably the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement, a decade-long programme valued at £1 billion. This agreement provides approximately 6,000 public sector organisations—including local authorities, emergency services, the NHS, and various government departments—free access to Ordnance Survey’s mapping data. The shared use of accurate, authoritative location data aims to improve public service delivery, infrastructure planning, and emergency response.
Despite the dominance of global technology companies such as Google and Apple in consumer map services, Ordnance Survey continues to see growth in its own consumer-facing digital mapping product, OS Maps, which added 6% more subscribers to reach 536,000 users.
An economic assessment anticipates Ordnance Survey will generate £10.6 billion in economic value over the decade through fiscal year 2029-30, reflecting its expanded role as a key player in the UK’s data and geospatial landscape.