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 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 Dr Liam Fox.
Met Office Owner’s Council (MOOC)
Role and responsibility
To provide advice and assistance to the Owner in:
- Setting top-level objectives which balance financial, customer and policy interests in the Met Office;
- Approving the long-term business strategy and plans for achieving the top level objectives,
- Review Met Office annual performance, including its Key Performance Targets.
Where appropriate the MOOC seeks advice from the Met Office Board to further assist in its responsibilities.
Structure
Chaired by the Under Secretary of State for Defence, the MOOC consists of:
- Senior Finance and Policy Representative (MOD DG Finance)
- Chief Scientific Advisor MOD
- Chairman of the Met Office Board
- Met Office Chief Executive
- Director Financial Management MOD
- Director representation from Shareholder Executive (Invited Member)
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 |
| Paul Rew | 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 | |
| Rob Varley | Met Office Operations and 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