Ian joined the Hartpury University Board in 2018, he had previously been a Hartpury College Governor.
Ian completed a commission in the Royal Navy, before moving to Sheffield Hallam University and later to Edge Hill University. Roles included Head of Department, Director of Undergraduate Programmes, Dean of Quality Enhancement and Graduate School Director. He is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of both the Institution of Engineering & Technology and the Higher Education Academy, and was appointed OBE in 2010. He served as a Naval Reservist for over 35 years.
Following retirement, he continues as an academic reviewer with the Quality Assurance Agency. He was Chair of the organisation responsible for supporting UK Reserve Forces and Cadets and is currently Chair of Trustees of a national pension fund.