Director
Ian has 25 years’ experience in the UK public, private and charity sectors, developing and leading programmes and organisations focussed on reaching and working with excluded and marginalised communities. Prior to joining DOL, Ian worked primarily in the UK social housing and community sectors, before going on to lead development non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Africa and the UK.
Ian is passionate about the role that social enterprise can play in building community capacity within marginalised groups, and as a route out of poverty and conflict. Outside of his role in DOL, he works with a small international trade justice charity, supporting small farmers in developing countries to secure more value from the supply chain (www.lyf.org.uk). In 2009 Ian helped set up the refugee-owned Oromo Coffee Company and is now an advisor to their Board (www.oromocoffee.org). He is also a non-executive director of a not-for-profit translation/ interpreter social enterprise (www.nwi.org.uk). Ian holds a Masters degree in Urban Regeneration and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.