Why I returned to the Met Office: innovation and partnership

I’ve been part of the Met Office since 2009, and every day I’m reminded of how lucky I am to work for an institution with such a storied past. From its humble beginnings in 1854 under Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy, who famously set sail on HMS Beagle, to its modern role as the UK’s national weather service, the Met Office has always pushed the boundaries of science and technology. I feel incredibly proud knowing that I contribute to a legacy that not only safeguards lives’ but also supports critical decision-making around the world.

My journey at the Met Office began with roles that allowed me to delve deep into the technical aspects of our operational technology. As a Technical Lead and later as a Lead Technical Architect, I had the opportunity to design and implement solutions that are now integral to the daily function of the organisation. It isn’t often that you can confidently share that your work enables thousands of others to do theirs every day but that is exactly what I achieved with my team of expert technologists.

It was after a brief stint in the private sector, having left and rejoined the Met Office that I realised how much I missed the vibrant culture and immense support for professional growth that the Met Office offers. The organisation’s investment in cutting-edge technology, whether harnessing high-performance computing or adopting cloud services, creates an environment where experimentation and learning are part of everyday life. I found in smaller companies, opportunities like these are rare, and it was clear to me that at the Met Office, innovation isn’t just encouraged; it’s expected.

One of my notable achievements during this time was the design of an identity management solution for the Supercomputing programme. This solution, built in public cloud, integrated multiple new infrastructure services, including our new Azure-integrated supercomputer, one of the world’s most advanced machines dedicated to weather and climate prediction.

What makes my experience even more enriching is the global network of partners we work with. Collaborating with industry leaders like Microsoft, esteemed academic institutions, and international meteorological organisations has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of technology. These partnerships fuel our innovation and ensure that our services remain as reliable and forward-thinking as possible, even as the world around us changes rapidly.

Looking ahead, I’m genuinely excited about what the future holds, especially with emerging trends in AI, machine learning, and cloud computing. I’m now leading the operational cyber security team at the Met Office, developing and executing strategies to safeguard the organisations digital infrastructure. I’m committed to using my skills to drive innovation and to help deliver our mission of “Exceptional science, technology and operations”, a mission that has defined my career and remains at the heart of the Met Office’s success in weather and climate prediction for over 170 years.

For me, this journey is much more than a career; it’s a personal adventure where every project, every challenge, and every partnership support’s my development while achieving amazing things.

This blog was published in March 2025.