1. Who We Are
UKHO is an executive agency and trading fund of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). As a trading fund, UKHO’s activities are funded entirely from sales of hydrographic products and services to commercial and military customers through an international network of distributors. It currently employs approximately 1000 staff at its offices in Taunton.
With over 200 years of experience, UKHO is a world-leading centre for hydrography, specialising in maritime geospatial data that supports defence and global shipping, and helping its customers and partners unlock a deeper understanding of the world’s oceans and coastal environments.
UKHO’s activities range from the discharging of the UK’s hydrographic obligations under the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea, by providing hydrographic services for waters of UK national responsibility, to providing hydrographic services to commercial customers. UKHO also advises the UK Government on hydrographic policy matters, representing the UK at international fora, including the International Hydrographic Organization.
UKHO’s priorities and strategic objectives are agreed by the responsible defence minister and reviewed regularly. UKHO aims to ensure that current and potential future military tasks are supported by high-quality hydrographic information, products and services, and to drive down the costs to MOD of this support.
2. About the Ministry of Defence
MOD works for a secure and prosperous United Kingdom with global reach and influence. It protects our people, territories, values and interests at home and overseas, through strong armed forces and in partnership with allies, to ensure our security, support our national interests, and safeguard our prosperity.
All UK Defence vessels, from ships to submarines, rely on UKHO’s navigational products and services. UKHO serves the Royal Navy and the wider UK government and allies by providing operational support and supplying trusted maritime data worldwide in support of national security. As part of the MOD, protecting people is central to what UKHO does. UKHO is responsible for working with partners across defence and wider government to improve the effectiveness of UK national defence and security in a number of ways, including:
- Providing geospatial information, products and services to UK armed forces to enhance decision-making, support the protection of Critical National Infrastructure and enable global operations;
- Supporting NATO and wider international defence partnerships by promoting standardisation and best practice, and sharing data and technical knowledge;
- Using its unique international relationships with over 70 territories and sovereign states to support economic, social and environmental prosperity, including disaster resilience;
- Supporting the Department for Transport’s obligations under the United Nations Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and enabling mariners to operate safely worldwide.
3. Why Work for Us?
Our Values
Together – We combine our strengths.
Responsibility – We do the right thing.
Excellence – We lead the way.
Discovery – We reach beyond boundaries.
These guiding principles help us work together to achieve our goals.
We strive to be an employer of choice through recognising, encouraging, and celebrating diversity. An organisation that not only encourages everyone to be themselves in the workplace but makes a clear link between embracing individual diversity and the successful delivery of our outputs.
Our People
Underpinning our organisation are our technology and people, and we are investing in both. From hydrography and oceanography, to software engineering and data science, we employ experts across a range of disciplines in a variety of challenging and interesting roles.
We believe our people are the key to our success, which is why we support all staff in reaching their full potential. As a Silver accredited ‘Investors in People’ employer, we are committed to identifying and nurturing talent to ensure UKHO develops to its fullest potential.
Force For Inclusion
A copy of the MOD’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2030: A force for inclusion is available here. In it, the Department details its commitment to Defence harnessing the power of difference to deliver capability that safeguards our nation’s security and stability. Defence offers a fascinating and fulfilling career path whether you want to work in policy, operational delivery, corporate services or a particular specialist area and what’s great is that it’s not just theoretical.
You will have the opportunity to make some of the most complex, enriching and rewarding programmes and changes happen within government that directly protect and defend our nation and those who live here. We care about what we do, we embrace diversity and we would love you to come and work with us.