Vanessa Blake appointed as interim chief executive of UKHO

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has announced the appointment of Vanessa Blake as interim CEO and Accounting Officer.

Blake joined UKHO in July 2023 as Chief Customer Officer and will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis while a permanent successor is sought. She replaces Peter Sparkes, who left the position after almost four years to become chief executive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

“I am delighted to be taking on the role of interim CEO at such an important time in the history of the British Hydrographic Office,” said Blake.

“At UKHO, significant progress has been made in digital transformation and adapting to the changing needs of our customers, while adhering to our vital mission to serve defense and support the safety of life at sea.

“I look forward to building on these achievements and working with our talented and dedicated people, as well as our distributors and partners around the world.”