Ian began playing the Euphonium aged thirteen with the Warrington Youth Band, where he played Principal Euphonium for 4 years. He joined his first contesting band, Laporte Industries, in 1990.

In 1991, Ian began his studies on the Band Musicianship Degree course at University College Salford and it was through links at the college that he had spells with the Walkden Band and Besses o'th'Barn Band before joining the Yorkshire Building Society Band in 1994.

Ian was the joint recipient of the Harry Mortimer Brass Student of the Year in 1994 along with Iwan Williams, then Flugel Player of the Yorkshire Building Society Band and was also a member of the University College Salford Brass Band tours of Brazil in 1995 and 1996.

Ian's tutors were Warrington Brass Repair specialist Paul Andrews, previously Solo Euphonium with Leyland DAF and now conductor of Wire Brass, also Dr.Nicholas Childs, world famous Euphonium Soloist and now conductor of the Black Dyke Band.

Ian joined Williams Fairey in October 1995 where he had 8 happy and successful years banding. Alongside many successful concerts and CD recordings, as well as the Acid Brass experience, contest successes included winning the Brass in Concert Championships and the All England Masters Championships twice. His highlights however were winning the British Open on George Lloyd's "Diversions on a Bass Theme" in 1998 conducted by James Gourlay and the National Brass Band Championships on Philip Wilby's "Masquerade" in 2002 conducted by Alan Withington.

Ian took a break from playing in 2003 and finally came out of 'retirement' in 2009 following his involvement with the Salford Family Orchestra. The idea was to give families the chance to play music together and Ian decided to take part with his daughter Joanna, a talented Violinist. The orchestra had three months to create and rehearse a new piece based on Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, called 'The Rough Guide To The Family Orchestra'. Words for the chorus were written by the famous Barnsley poet and Radio 3 presenter Ian McMillan. Seventy-five members of the Salford Family Orchestra, ranging in age from 5 to 85, then joined members of the London Family Orchestra along with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and performed live on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday 26 July 2009 in the Royal Albert Hall, London for the BBC Proms. It was following this proud moment of playing on stage at the Royal Albert Hall once again, made more special that his daughter was on stage with him as well, that gave Ian the desire to play again. 

Ian joined the Grimethorpe Colliery Band in September 2009 is delighted to be playing at the highest level again and is looking forward to future successes both on the concert and contest stage.

Ian is married to Wendy and they have 2 children, Joanna and Denholm. Wendy was a wonderful Bass Trombone player in her own right, though is sadly now retired from playing. Wendy beat Ian to winning the British Open with the Marple Band in 1996.

Ian is Head of Music at Wentworth High School in Eccles, Salford. His other hobbies include Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Music Technology and anything to do with Star Wars!