UP to 2,000 Ordnance Survey staff and their families will attend a massive thank you party this week.
The mapping giant, which employs 1,200 people in Southampton, is celebrating the successful end of five years as a government Trading Fund.
The Romsey Road organisation is financed through sales and data licensing rather than direct funding from the taxpayer. With a turnover of £115m, OS is on target to meet a nine per cent return on investment, prompting the party.
The big barbecue bash, which takes place on Friday, follows on the heels of insurers Skandia Life's £500,000 thank you party to its 1,500 staff.
This and other events will raise money for charities.
"Our staff have worked extremely hard over the past five years and as a result we have seen much success," said OS director general and chief executive Vanessa Lawrence.
"We are taking the chance to say a big thank you to everyone for their tremendous efforts and resulting achievements."
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