Ian was born and raised in Middlesbrough, has lived in Ormesby for over 40 years. Since returning to Middlesbrough after university he has worked in both academic and business environments and spent over 20 years as an IT consultant to businesses in the UK and Australia. He has been a full-time dementia carer, working with council social workers to enable his mother to spend the last years of her life in her own home. He is a bellringer at St Cuthbert's Church, Ormesby, and its Parochial Church Council treasurer. He has been the Chair of the Ormesby Library Friends Group, since its founding in 2010. The Friends Group support and champion our local library and its staff. They raise money to put on events at the library and community hub and have worked to secure its future and the recent refurbishment.