His career however, started a long way away from international security and the public sector. Indeed, Ian read Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham, a degree course that he really enjoyed, but was swayed into accountancy following some interesting holiday internships during his time in higher education.
“An engineering degree develops a very grounded, logical and solution-oriented way of thinking”, says Ian looking back on what he gained from his university experience. “I also learnt a great deal about management, working with the different trades on site.”
It is perhaps to the detriment of engineering industries that qualifications help to develop the skills that are incredibly valuable for a variety of careers. Having left engineering and qualified as an accountant with Price Waterhouse, Ian worked largely in the retail sector for almost three decades, holding senior roles in a range of businesses including the Kingfisher Group, Carpetright, Sainsburys Plc and Carphone Warehouse.
“I’ve been able to help organisations adapt to changing environments, introduce new operational and financial planning and I’ve particularly enjoyed developing teams and nurturing the next generation of future leaders.”
When hired by HMV, his brief was to put the company into administration and he was given the opportunity to re-assess his priorities and he moved into an entirely different sector.
Since 2013, Ian has been working in the not-for-profit and public sectors. His first role was transforming the financial planning and reporting within Cancer Research UK, one of the country’s largest charities. After four years as Chief Financial Officer there he joined and established UK Research & Innovation, first as CFO and then as Deputy CEO. The organisation brought together multiple different strands of research commissioned and funded by the state into a single entity.
I’ve particularly enjoyed developing teams and nurturing the next generation of future leaders.
Once working within the state-funded environment he moved to serve in the Home Office before his most recent position within the Ministry of Defence as Director of Finance and Programmes for the Defence Nuclear Organisation, supporting the UK’s nuclear deterrent and the AUKUS pact.
Whilst busy with his main occupation, Ian still found time to support a wide range of charities, serving as Treasurer of the University of Nottingham, Guildford Cathedral, the Worshipful Company of Glovers of London and in his home parish at Christ Church, Guildford. Sadly, following a recent cancer diagnosis, Ian has had to step down from his fascinating role at the Ministry of Defence, as well as his many volunteering positions, including serving as an Occasional Preacher.
Ian is truly thrilled to have been awarded the CBE yet also very humbled. “I believe that I was nominated primarily for services to the Defence Nuclear Organisation and for volunteering. I’m an accountant and for almost forty years I’ve been helping businesses run effectively and have supported national, regional and local charities with their finances, often serving them as Treasurer.”
He cites his Bradfield education as the reason for having the ability to achieve so much and the teachers who inspired him to work hard and to continue to learn. Ian credits his former Housemaster, Morgan Laimbeer, as having the most significant influence. “His laid-back approach provided the freedom to experiment but you knew when you had crossed the line and letting him down was the biggest reprimand that you could have.”
He also acknowledges Jack Good and Nick Barton in Chemistry, Colin Burgess in Maths and his Tutor Crispin Read-Wilson as positive figures in his Bradfield experience. “The foundation I received at Bradfield has underpinned my career; it helped shape my values. The College’s culture supports volunteering and taught me to balance work and non-work activity.”
Ian has also retained his connection with the College as a member of the OB Running Club, where until recently he supported their running fixtures. We look forward to hearing news of his visit to the Palace to receive the award.
