Very sadly, Ian died in late July 2026 having worked with us for many years.

Ian was an Anglican priest and chartered surveyor. He came to the North East in 1966 as curate of Washington and pit chaplain, later working ecumenically as regional coal industry chaplain. Subsequently he was engaged in establishing (and on two occasions working for) housing associations in the NE and later supporting the single homeless in central London.

Moving to Scotland in 1984, he set up a number of community enterprises and became a founder member of Scottish Churches Housing Action and board member of the Scottish Refugee Council. Throughout his dual career he worked to initiate social and housing enterprise, latterly as chief officer of the Churches’ Regional Commission in the North East with faith communities.

Iain joined Policy&Practice as a Research Fellow in 2008 and for many years worked with Fred Robinson on a number of social research projects. Drawing upon his extensive experience, they worked together with local community groups and Durham County Council in facilitating community asset transfer.  He was also a pastoral tutor at St Chad’s.

Ian was a pleasure to spend time with; always helpful, knowledgeable, supportive, interested, compassionate – and, of course, funny.  He will be sadly missed.