In addition, he also worked for a spell in Hong Kong on business development for Vokos Publishing group owner, Themistocles Vokos.
Having successfully completed a degree in anthropology at Sheffield University, Ian cut his teeth as a determined young reporter on the Sheffield Morning Telegraph in his native Yorkshire. However, it was not long before he made the not inconsiderable leap in 1976 from provincial journalism to specialist reporting on the monthly shipping business publication, Seatrade, which Vokos had established in 1970.
He joined the magazine’s editorial team, led at that time by Chris Hayman, on the recommendation of accomplished Financial Times journalist John Wyles, who had already noticed the talented young reporter. Ian was subsequently approached by the ‘pink paper’, together with other prominent publications in shipping, but he remained a loyal ‘Seatrader’ until his retirement in 2016.
Ian travelled widely and was highly respected across the global shipping sector. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of maritime business and was a particular specialist in the complexities of global trade, ship finance, container shipping, and the legal minefield of liner conferences and competition rules.
Many in shipping were not accustomed to his direct line of questioning but soon developed a grudging respect for the fearless reporter.
He was also a first-rate sportsman with a keen eye for the ball. He played table-tennis and badminton for England Under 21s; he was an accomplished cricketer; and, in later life after giving up first-rate squash, he took up golf and whittled down his handicap to low single figures in close-to-record time.
Eminent shipping economist Dr Martin Stopford said yesterday: “Ian was a good journalist and a good man. His integrity smoothed the rough edges that all journalists have to come to terms with, and he was always a pleasure to work with.”
Commenting on Ian’s contribution to Seatrade over the years, Chris Hayman, chairman of Seatrade, said yesterday: “Ian’s professionalism and integrity as a journalist shone through during his time as Seatrade editor and beyond, and his industry knowledge marked him out as one of the leading writers on the dynamics of the shipping markets of his generation.”
Ian is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and the next Middleton generation, Tamsin and Jonathan.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.
Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.  |
