One of the most travelled figures within the drinks industry, the award winning “EduTainer”, has redefined the definition of an international spirits ambassador. An ex professional basketball player in the UK and international recording artist, he has now established himself as the world’s ONLY global ambassador for the rum category. His passion for rum and cocktails is infectious and in 2007 he not only created the world’s first international Rum festival (The UK RumFest), he also inspired the birth of rum festivals around the world including Miami, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Prague, Hong Kong and Cape Town. As an “Edu-tainer”, he is in constant demand by various rum companies and organisations to give key note speeches, rum tastings, cocktail presentations and demonstrations to trade & consumers alike. Ian is also currently the rum & cocktail specialist on television’s channel 4 entertainment show,” Sunday Brunch” and ITV’s “Love Your Weekend” where he is regularly seen by millions of viewers educating celebrity guests on various rums and rum cocktails. A multi award winning presenter, Ian has been awarded International Ambassador of the Year (2018) and is one of the top 20 most influential people in the Bar World as voted by Drinks International. In 2023 he was awarded ‘Outstanding Contribution’ at the Class Bar Awards and was recently named IWSC’s ‘2024 Spirits Communicator.'