Ian is a Chartered Town Planner and has spent 30 years in planning, always with a local government focus. He is the new Director of City Development at Exeter City Council, having joined in April 2022. Ian is responsible for all Planning Services across the city, as well as leading the ambitious Liveable Exeter initiative, to build 12,000 homes on brownfield land, by 2040. 

Ian previously worked for Homes England, the government’s housing delivery and regeneration agency, where he spent nine years driving sustainable housing growth in high demand areas across the country. 

Ian graduated from the University of Reading in 1990 with a Master of Philosophy Degree in Environmental Planning. He also has a BSc (Hons) Degree in Geography from the University of Derby. Ian has held senior management roles at Bristol City Council, the West of England Partnership and the Planning Advisory Service. 

Ian has built a national profile, and has a deep knowledge of planning, design, property, land assembly, infrastructure and investment. Ian works collaboratively with local authorities and developers, helping to create sustainable healthy, inclusive and prosperous communities and places for the future.