Sir Ian is the UK National Statistician and Director of the Office for National Statistics. Prior to his appointment to the ONS in 2019 he was Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Aberdeen, Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Council, and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton. He was knighted in 2013 for services to social science and higher education.

Sir Ian has published over 100 papers, as well as books and government reports. Since his appointment to ONS he has taken personal responsibility in the design, delivery and reporting of the 2021 Census, and the delivery of national statistical monitoring relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.