Ian was probably born around 1960. Prior to working for Special Operations, it is said that Ian attended Cambridge University, though the subject(s) he studied are unknown. He was recruited by MI6 in 1988, a year after he became the guardian of his nephew Alex Rider due to the death of his parents. Whilst working for MI6, he claimed he was an overseas finance manager for the Royal & General Bank as a cover. He successfully completed assignments in Iran, Washington, Hong Kong and Cairo, among others, during 1988 and 2001.