Educated at the University of York and the London School of Economics, Ian is currently Head of Policy and Public Affairs at London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ian's professional interests have led to work on topics as diverse as the global financial crisis, housing, the business development cycle and financial literacy.

During 2010, Ian founded Queue Press, a publishing house, specialising in the provision of text books, work books and academic stationery to schools and colleges across the UK. Queue also develops in-house training programmes for businesses, in addition to offering a complete publishing service to both début and professional authors. Queue's flagship publication is Finance Your Future, a series of educational resources delivered into primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, designed to enhance the financial literacy of young people.

Ian later founded The Skills Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, in order to address inequalities in education.

Ian is a member of MENSA, the high IQ society, enjoys various forms of motor racing and is a keen supporter of Aston Villa Football Club.