Speakers

Rob Varley
Government Services Director
Met Office

As Government Services Director, Rob is the single point of focus for all public sector users of Met Office services: from daily weather forecasts, to front-line military support, to climate change advice for policy makers. Rob is particularly keen to ensure that decision makers across Government are making effective use of the world-leading expertise and advice in weather and climate available from the Met Office. As a member of the Met Office Executive he also plays a leading role in the strategic management of the organisation, including leading on Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Development.

Before joining the Executive last year, Rob worked in a variety of roles in the Met Office over 25 years, starting as a weather forecaster. He then 10 years at the Met Office College overseeing the training and development of forecasters. He then moved on to project manage the procurement and construction of the Met Office's new headquarters building at Exeter. Since the move to Exeter in 2003 he worked with public sector users, heading first the National Meteorological Programme, and then the Public Weather Service.

Rob is married to Jane, and they have three grown-up children.