Ian has over 30 years’ international experience in the Metals, Oil and Gas, Automotive and Construction sectors. He relishes taking on challenging problems, finding solutions and pursuing those solutions until they have been successfully implemented.

Ian started his career with British Leyland before being drawn to the excitement of the emerging North Sea oil industry where he worked as a petroleum engineer for Shell. After five years he left to work as a Petroleum Engineering consultant for a range of companies in Africa and Europe. After completing his MBA he joined British Steel where he spent 15 years as a manager in functions ranging from Operations, through Sales to Business Improvement. This phase of his career culminated as the Business Strategy Director responsible for Long Products during which time he led negotiations for a number of major M&A opportunities. Since that time he has operated as an independent management consultant, primarily for Shell.

Ian holds a First in Civil Engineering from the University of Southampton, a Masters in Petroleum Engineering from Herriot Watt University where he was awarded the top student prize, and an MBA from IMEDE in Switzerland. He is a Chartered Engineer.

Keara has over 25 years international experience in the Oil & Gas and development sectors. She enjoys working with clients to solve challenges and ensure delivery. She is very experienced in creating Partner alignment and ensuring that all contribute to an optimum solution.

Keara has worked globally with Shell International as a petroleum engineer, economist and project manager. She has also spent time in developing energy policy in Ireland. For the last six years she has worked with a strategy consultancy within Shell International where in addition to supporting oil and gas sector challenges she was an advisor to the Shell Foundation. In this role she was increasingly involved in advising major international foundations in how to develop sustainable projects.

Keara holds a First in Civil Engineering from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

IPKA is part of a network of consultants the majority of whom met and worked together in Shell’s START team. START was an internal consultancy group that provided support and problem solving expertise to Shell’s companies around the World and fulfilled contracts for non-Shell companies. START was disbanded in December 2009 and since that time ten of its consultants have worked together on a range of assignments with International and National Oil Companies and Service Companies.