“As a born and bred Brummie I could not be prouder of Birmingham hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Games is also a once in a generation opportunity for our region to reap the benefits for years to come and creating United By 2022 gives us a brilliant opportunity to share those benefits with the many diverse communities that call this region home.”

Ian is Chair of Commonwealth Games England and is one of CGEs two appointees to the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee Board. He is also CGEs nominee on the Games Strategic Board, chaired by the Minister for Sport.

Ian played rugby locally for Moseley, also representing the Barbarians and touring New Zealand with England. Ian served nine years on the Board of the RFU, chaired the RFUs Professional Game Board and sat on the Board of ER 2015 Limited, the organising body for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, hosted in England. Ian has also been involved in cricket, serving 23 years as a committee member at Warwickshire CCC, including four years as Vice Chairman. He is now an Honorary Life Member.

Ian is Chairman of Mercia Asset Management plc and a non-executive director of Arena Events Group plc. He is also a non-executive director of the global waste management and waste services group, TRRG Holdings Limited, a Dutch/Spanish joint venture.