Ian worked in local government (London Boroughs of Islington, Camden and City of Westminster) from 1972 before being admitted to the Bar as a barrister in 1980.

Ian provides clients with strategic planning advice on securing planning permissions and related agreements. As former joint head of the planning group at Berwin Leighton Paisner, he advised on development, planning and environmental matters; projects included: advising on the Olympic bid and the Olympic Delivery Authority; the US Embassy at Nine Elms; Gatwick Airport Ltd and the provision of the second runway; the Ram Brewery Site at Wandsworth, London Bridge Tower (Renzo Piano designed iconic tower), the Shard, strategic and detailed issues on Thames Gateway and Ebbsfleet CTRL London offices including Walbrook, St Giles, Ludgate and the Shard and various out of town proposals.