Mr Ian Spencer CGeog

Biography

Occupation: Assistant Director: Research Employer: Defence Geographic Centre Memo: lan Spencer is a civil servant responsible for leading and developing geographic research at the Defence Geographic Centre, Ministry of Defence, UK. A graduate of the Geography Department at Royal Holloway, University of London, he has over 20 years' experience as a Defence geography and mapping specialist. He has been involved and a range of activities that have advanced the development, production and delivery of geographic information. His contributions include the development of early vector product specifications and representing UK interests in a variety of international standards projects, such as NATO standards and the ISO TC 211 committee which developed the IS019xxx geographic information standards. In 2002 he completed the Executive MBA with distinction at Imperial College London and progressed to become a member of the senior management team at the Defence Geographic Centre in 2004. Since 2008 he has been providing a key contribution to the development of Defence doctrine and the promotion of geography as a key enabler for achieving the understanding required to support decision making for military operations, in particular for operations for pre-emptive and reactive stabilisation, and humanitarian aid and disaster relief. lan is also the MOD sponsor and representative for the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (located within the House of the Royal Geographical Society) and is working hard to enhance and broaden the recognition and application of their advice and policies on geographical names within HM Government departments. lan is also a Chartered Manager, a professional accreditation awarded by the Chartered Management Institute.