Ian served 10 years in the Merchant Navy; starting as a Cadet with Furness Withy, UK and culminating with Jardine Ship Management, Hong Kong where Ian achieved the rank of Chief Officer.
When seeking a job ashore, it was quickly realised that sea-going qualifications would not be recognised and so Ian sought out a course which would help get him land-based. Having attended the City University Business School, London, Ian obtained a Master of Science degree in Shipping, Trade and Finance in 1988.
Having joined Pareto Shipbrokers Ltd in November 1988, as a Trainee Shipbroker, Ian soon became responsible for the chartering of specialist vessels to support submarine fibre-optic cable and power cable installation projects in addition to maintenance operations and associated activities. Additional responsibilities included the establishment of forwarding activities, particularly with respect to cable projects and then expanded the Company's activities within the floating production and shuttle tanker sectors of the offshore market.
Ian was appointed a Director of Pareto Shipbrokers Ltd in 1996 and along with Sean Harvey, was key to the successful Management Buyout from Michael Derrick in January 2002, which effected control of the Company to them.
Ian is a family man, enthusiastic (although mostly erratic) golfer, keen fly-fisherman and a staunch Arsenal FC supporter and over more than thirty years has travelled extensively to all continents except Antarctica (which is on his Bucket List!).