Ian began his career as mechanical engineer with an Honours degree from Bristol University in 1978. His involvement with software and automation started in 1979 when he developed an automated test system for aircraft fuel density transducers at Solarton.

He joined Davy McKee in 1981 and gained an in-depth knowledge of real time control system software while developing and commissioning shape and gauge control systems. Ian moved on to lead and manage the development of several progressively more innovative and successful generations of control system. At the same time he developed an interest and expertise in software design methodologies, which he used to ensure that a rational and rigorous design process was followed during development.

Ian left Davy McKee in 1995 to become a consultant with Kennedy-Carter, a world-renowned leader in software design techniques, providing consultancy and training to organisations such as Ericsson, GPT, and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). In 1997 Ian started IW Software, developing core software technology for customers in the metals industry and elsewhere.