Ian has lived in Berkhamsted since 1979. He has two children, who both attended Ashlyns School, and one granddaughter. Now retired, Ian worked throughout his career in the public sector: after a couple of years in academia he worked for the Ministry of Defence, The Civil Aviation Authority and Royal Mail.

Ian stood down as a local councillor in 2021. He was a local councillor for nearly thirty years on the Town Council, for ten years on Dacorum Borough Council, and he was the County Councillor for Berkhamsted for twelve years.

Ian has a long-standing interest in the environment. As a Borough Councillor he was the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration and on the Herts County Council he was Chairman of the Development Control Committee.  Ian also spent about fifteen years on the Chiltern Conservation Board, and for several years he was Chairman of the Board.  He has also been a Trustee of The Town Hall since the 1990’s.