Who We Are
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is world-leading centre for hydrography with over 230 years of experience. Our maritime data solutions support safe, secure and thriving oceans. We fulfil the UK government’s Safety of Life at Sea obligations and are relied upon by defence users, government and global shipping.
We are an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with trading fund status, and we fulfil our public task at no additional expense to the tax payer.
Working with partners across the globe, we source, process and provide access to data from seabed to surface. This data is shared with a wide range of users to help unlock a deeper understanding of the world’s oceans and make the best of the marine environment.
Supporting safe navigation is at the heart of what we do. Through our ADMIRALTY portfolio, we provide a leading range of navigational products and services which are trusted by over 90% of large ships trading internationally today.
Our team of approximately 1,000 dedicated staff are based at our office in Taunton, Somerset.
The UKHO’s priorities and strategic objectives are agreed by the responsible defence minister and reviewed regularly. The UKHO aims to ensure that current and potential future military tasks are supported by high-quality hydrographic information, products and services, and to reduce the costs to the MOD of this support.
About the Ministry of Defence
The 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 the UKHO’s navigational products and services. The 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 the UKHO does. The 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.
Why Work for Us?
Our Vision
We are the beacon for quality, innovative navigational solutions; trusted by customers and partners worldwide.
Our Purpose
For safe, secure and thriving oceans.
Our People
At UKHO, we have a clear vision for our future and a strong sense of purpose which is underpinned by our values, set out in our culture framework ‘The UKHO way’.
Being an inclusive organisation is important to us, with our Diversity and Inclusion Forum and Affinity groups/Staff networks playing a key role in ensuring everyone has a voice.
Our people underpin what we do and how we deliver for our customer. We employ and collaborate with experts across a range of professions, from hydrography to software engineering and data sciences.
As a Silver accredited ‘Investors in People’ employer, we are committed to identifying and nurturing talent to ensure the UKHO develops to its fullest potential.
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.
Force For Inclusion
A copy of the MOD’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2030: A force for inclusion is available here.