Ian joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16 on 22 nd October 1984 as a Junior Weapon Engineer 2 nd Class. He spent 15 years in the General Service, including various operational patrols, Serving onboard HMS Naiad, HMS Coventry, HMS Liverpool, and HMS Westminster. During this time, he gained promotions from WEM to Petty Officer.

Looking for a new challenge he left the General Service to join the Submarine Service in 2002 and qualified as Petty Officer SWS on HMS Victorious, Vanguard class Submarines.

Once again looking for a new challenge he successfully branch transferred to the Coxswain Branch in 2007 and was promoted CPO Coxswain, serving on board HMS Vengeance and HMS Victorious conducting Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD) patrols. Ian was the Coxswain at the time HMS Ambush left Barrow from build for the first time, and HMS Audacious whilst in build, Ian has also served as a FOST SM sea rider training crews ready for sea.

Promoted to WO1 in 2017 he served as the Submarine School Coxswain at HMS RALEIGH before completing 2 years as the Training Officer for SMQ North.

In March 2022 he was hand selected for the Head of Training (HOT) for the Submarine Escape Rescue Abandonment and Survivability (SMERAS) Facility.

He now trains for fitness and personal development. In 2018 he graduated in sports injury massage level 3 from Newcastle University and is unfortunately a frustrated Sunderland football fan. He lives in Sunderland with his wife Alison and has a daughter Lauren and son Nathan.