Management of the Met Office
In 1996 the Met Office became a Trading Fund within the Ministry of Defence. As a Trading Fund we are required to operate on a commercial basis and meet agreed performance targets as set by our Ministerial Owner.
Our owner
The Under Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for Veterans, currently Kevan Jones, is the individual charged with directing and overseeing the Met Office on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence.
The ultimate responsibility and accountability lies with the Secretary of State for Defence, currently the Right Honourable Bob Ainsworth MP.
Met Office Owner’s Council (MOOC)
Role and responsibility
To advise the owner of any aspect of their responsibilities from financial and customer interests through to the agreement of longer-term plans. The MOOC assists and advises the owner in order to determine and articulate the government's future meteorological strategy. Where appropriate the MOOC seeks advice from the Met Office Board to further assist in its responsibilities.
Structure
Chaired by Kevan Jones MP, Under Secretary of State for Defence, the MOOC consists of:
- MOD Finance Director
- Chief Scientific Advisor
- Non-executive Met Office Public Met. Service Advisor
- Chair Met Office Board
- Chair Public Weather Service Customer Group
- Met Office Chief Executive
- Shareholder Executive and MOD Business and Strategy Group (senior representative)
- Defra (senior representative)
- DECC (senior representative)
- Department for Transport (senior representative)
Our board
The Met Office Board’s primary responsibility is developing the long-term strategy of the Met Office. The board supports and challenges our Executive in order to assist it in delivering against targets. The Non-Executive Directors of the board are encouraged to assist in raising external awareness of the Met Office and our work, and to build beneficial external relationships.
| Chairman | Robert Napier | |
|---|---|---|
| Members | Sir Brian Hoskins CBE | Non-Executive Director |
| Denise Harker | Non-Executive Director | |
| Mike Goodfellow | Non-Executive Director | |
| Jim Currie | Non-Executive Director | |
| John Hirst | Met Office Chief Executive | |
| Julia Slingo | Met Office Chief Scientist | |
| Philippa Childs | Prospect National Negotiator | |
| Terence Jagger | MOD Representative | |
| Peter Shortt | Shareholder Executive Advisor | |
| Nick Jobling | Met Office Chief Financial Officer | |
| Keith Groves | Met Office Operations and Customer Services Director |
Read Met Office Board meeting summaries
Our Executive
The role of our Executive is to lead, direct and manage the Met Office effectively in order to ensure a successful delivery of the aims, objectives and targets. It is responsible for leadership and management of the Met Office and is tasked with directing the strategic change and implementing the strategic decisions taken at the Met Office Board. The Executive agrees key communications and makes investment decisions. The members work under the leadership of the Chief Executive and operate as a corporately cohesive collective with a shared interest in the successful achievement of our aims and objectives.
More about each Executive member
