t one-time a research chemist and materials scientist, Ian trained as an aromatherapist about eight years ago. He teaches chemistry, as part of aromatherapy diploma courses, at a number of schools across the United Kingdom. He also teaches at postgraduate level for a number of training providers and runs his own series of workshops.

For three and a half years Ian was Chair of the International Society of Professional Aromatherapists (ISPA), the largest aromatherapy practitioner organisation in the UK. He has been directly involved in the creation of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA), established by bringing together former members of the International Society of Professional Aromatherapists and the Register of Qualified Aromatherapists. He was co-chair of the new organisation for six months and became the first elected Chair in October 2002.

Ian has been actively involved in discussions with the Medicines Control Agency on matters concerned with future regulatory arrangements for both aromatherapy and herbal medicine, and has been appointed as a member of the Independent Review Panel on Borderline Products.