Ian's focus is on innovative approaches to investment and the investment process. In his role at Catalyst, Ian will be working alongside Paul Stevens, Catalyst's newest board member, to provide strategic advice on the widest range of IT and operational challenges and opportunities facing asset management firms.

Speaking on his appointment, Ian commented: "This is an exciting time to join the team at Catalyst. With the buy-side focusing more and more on complex products, my experience in implementing systems to support such sophisticated trading models will provide a strong offering in this area."

Paul Stevens, Head of Asset Management at Catalyst, said: "I am delighted that Ian is joining forces with Catalyst: his knowledge, experience and insights around investment management are of the highest quality. When allied with Catalyst's extensive capabilities, Ian will add tremendous value to our propositions and clients."

Ian is also a non-executive director at Xenomorph Software Limited. Prior to this, he was a founder and director of CityIQ, which provides advice and delivery services to clients in the securities industry, and he has advised many leading buy-side players on process and systems strategy.

Before becoming Head of Derivatives Projects at Threadneedle Investments, Ian was Global Head of Product Strategy for DST International. Ian also has a PhD in Mathematical Logic from London University.