That international consultant and man of mystery is… (updated)
…is still a mystery. Ordnance Survey today responded at 18.18 BST (by my computer’s timestamp) to my request for the name of the international consultant who looked over the OS’s study justifying its own findings.
And the outcome:
I can confirm that Ordnance Survey does hold this information
I suppose it might have been done by anonymous peer review, but it’s unlikely..
however I regret to inform you that your request falls within the ‘Personal information’ exemption under section 40 (2) (a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). We believe this exemption applies because having contacted the person concerned Ordnance Survey has been requested to withhold their name in this instance, therefore we will not be releasing this information to you.
This person is turning in to some kind of remarkable beast. Let’s just remind ourselves of what we wanted to know: who is it that OS described as an “internationally recognised expert in geographical information and national mapping” who OS said had reviewed its study into how it should organise and charge for its service, and who “agreed with the analysis and conclusions”.
And now this person turns out to be such a shrinking violet that they don’t want to have their names in the papers and on the web?
This “internationally recognised expert” doesn’t want to be named? Doesn’t want to be named on a strategic study into one of the most important mapping agencies in the world?
This is, quite frankly, ridiculous.
We will now begin making representations to the minister ostensibly in charge of OS, Iain Wright.
And we haven’t even looked at the latest version of the study itself that arrived by email. Wonder what non-gems are buried in that.
Meanwhile, the search for Spartacus goes on…
Update: First: OS points out that since a recent reshuffle, Iain Wright is no longer the minister responsible; it’s now Ian Austin.
Second: following comments, I have put the question directly to Robin McLaren of Know Edge (mentioned in the comments below as a possible International Consultant and Man of Mystery). His reply, besides that in the comments below where he says Know Edge was not retained, is:
No, I have not been involved in the creation or review of the Ordnance Survey study. Like you, I am mystified as to who this ‘International Consultant’ may be.
- The following posts may be related...(the database guesses):
- International man/woman of mystery is: international; from an NMA (3 August 2009; score: 37.37%)
- ..but we're just as quick: more questions re the international man (or woman) of mystery (31 July 2009; score: 36.69%)
- Well, that was quick: OS responds to FOI re international expert; mystery deepens (if that's possible) (31 July 2009; score: 33.59%)
- "OS replies" article - updated to two columns (24 April 2006; score: 30.79%)
- International man/woman of mystery: the silent, uncommunicative type, apparently (3 September 2009; score: 29.87%)
July 24th, 2009 at 9:29 am
The search for the ‘internationally recognised expert’ goes on. He must be either, not very recognised after all, embarrassed by the interest shown in his identity, or ashamed of his role in reviewing OS analysis and conclusions and agreeing with them. Perhaps in light of the gathering interest and speculation Mr or Ms ‘IRE’ should reconsider, place his or her reputation on the line and publish the cogent thinking on the matter.
July 24th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Surely this consultant (let’s call him Joe Bloggs) would be operating for a consulting firm (perhaps Joe Bloggs Consulting Ltd.) through which the consultancy work was contracted by OS. As I understand it (and I may be wrong), the release of a company name cannot be withheld for data protection reasons, even if the company name is effectively a person’s name. It is worth making another request, but this time ask for the company that was contracted to do the consultancy, not the person. Of course, OS may well withhold this information on commercial confidentiality grounds, but it’s worth a shot.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Charles, I suspect this is your man:
http://www.knowedgeconsortium.co.uk/rmcl.html
What difference it makes, I don’t know?
July 24th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I can confirm that the Knowedge Consortium were NOT contracted by the Ordnance Survey to review this study.
July 29th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
So that’s a not me from KnowWhere Consulting and a not me from Knowedge Consortium.
Someone must KnowWho?