Ian was brought up in Motherwell and educated at Dalziel High School where he was a member of the school choir and took part in school shows. After obtaining a chemistry degree from Glasgow University and a teaching qualification from Jordanhill College, Ian returned to his former school to begin his teaching career. For five years he played an active part in the extra-curricular life of the school as business manager of the school choir, organising educational trips abroad and coaching the senior football team to victory in the Lanarkshire Cup!

Following a three year spell as Principal Teacher of Guidance in Lanark Grammar School, Ian moved to Carluke High School as Assistant Headteacher and then Depute Headteacher. Seven years later Ian moved out of school based employment and moved to Tayside as Education Officer for Perth and Kinross. During this time he continued to support the involvement of young people in musical activities by taking an active interest in the Perth Youth Orchestra, the Perth Music Festival and the Perth Festival of the Arts and in the organisation of the first Singing Day in Perth (which was conducted by one Christopher Bell!) Following a restructuring of the education department, Ian became an Assistant Director of Education in Tayside and had, as part of his remit, the responsibility for arts in education. This provided further opportunities to promote musical experience for young people. 

At the time of local government reorganisation in 1995 Ian was appointed Director of Education in East Dunbartonshire. He took a personal interest in the Music School of Douglas Academy and encouraged the development of local orchestras and school based musical activities. At national level, Ian was an Adviser to the Scottish Arts Council and is Chairman of the Scottish Amateur Music Association and Administrator of the Scottish International Piano Competition. In 2001, following a management restructuring, Ian had the opportunity to take early retirement and (still being relatively young!) pursue a change of career.

Music- and in particular choral singing- has been an important element of Ian's life for many years. He was a member of the SNO Chorus in the 1970's taking part in the Bicentenary Tour of America. In Perth, he was a member of Chansons and the Perth Cathedral Operatic Group and on returning to the West of Scotland rejoined the RSNO Chorus as well as being a member of the Strathendrick Singers.

Ian's wife Margaret is a special educational needs teacher in Glasgow. She is also a member of the RSNO Chorus and is a former President of the Perth Choral Society. They have two daughters, Kirstin - who is currently studying for a Diploma in Music Therapy at the Guildhall in London and Roslyn who is in her final year of a Business Degree course at Edinburgh University.

Any spare time available from managing NYCoS and singing, Ian maintains his interests as a member of Allander Rotary Club, Strathblane Parish Church and enjoyment of the arts, outdoor pursuits and family based activities.