Over 20 years, Ian has worked in senior executive roles across all the major commercial sports on behalf of brands, sponsors, rights-holders, owners, governments and sports-people. 

He specialises in commercial strategy, contract negotiation, partnership packaging, sports marketing and sales. 

Originally an academic, Ian was a tutor at Christ Church, Oxford. He joined leading talent agency CSS Stellar in 2000 and oversaw the commercial strategy for several Formula 1 teams, Ryder Cup golfers and Olympians, including the Team GB Rowing Coxless 4. As Head of Marketing, he worked with both the England Football and England Rugby squads through the “Team England” commercial rights programme (2001-2006). At CSS he also pioneered brand partnerships on behalf of Keira Knightley, Ewan McGregor and Kate Winslet and with the James Bond franchise.

Subsequently, Ian was managing director of Treble Sports, a joint venture in Abu Dhabi between Treble Group and HH Sheikh Saif Al Nahyan, focused on sports infrastructure and sports strategy. Treble Sports consulted to the Abu Dhabi government as part of its Vision 2030 strategy and worked on landmark projects including the construction of Yas Island Racetrack and the acquisition of Manchester City FC. He also worked on major sports events in his time in Abu Dhabi, including its inaugural Formula 1 race as well as the FIFA Club World Cup. 

In his role at Treble, Ian also was centrally involved in the commercial rights strategy in South Africa for WPRFU, Stormers Rugby, Newlands Stadium and the Cape Town Rugby 7’s tournament.

He has been a senior sports consultant to DHL, creating the company’s global sports strategy and advising on their Rugby World Cup, Lions Rugby and Formula 1 sponsorships. He created and negotiated the first ever stand-alone training kit partnership in the Premier League, between DHL and Manchester United in 2011.

He was commercial director at Leicester City FC, during which time the club won the Premier League title, and he was also a member of the Premier League commercial rights advisory board. 

Prior to taking his position as CEO at Munster Rugby, Ian was Global Head of Football at Treble and advised and represented individuals and consortia on sports asset investment, acquisition and sale strategies.

A native of Cork City, Ireland, Ian is married with one child (Thaddeus, aged 7).