Maths for the masses

Ian is an experienced and successful classroom practitioner, having joined the Mathematics department at Eton College in September 2011. Whilst being more than capable of teaching Further Maths A level, Ian is renowned for his ability to transform struggling GCSE maths candidates into Grade 9 performers. During the Covid pandemic, Ian proved he could teach just as effectively through the medium of online learning as he could in the classroom. 

Born and brought up in South Wales, Ian won an academic scholarship to attend Christ College, Brecon before studying mechanical engineering at The University of Warwick, graduating with a first class MEng degree in 2006. Following industry-sponsored research on hybrid electric vehicles, he has published many scientific papers on the thermal modelling of power devices.

Following the successful completion of his doctorate, he moved on to the University of Oxford where he gained a PGCE along with a rugby Blue.

Having gained a Mathematics Exhibition to Wellington College, James went on to secure three Mathematics As at A-Level (Maths, Further Maths and Statistics - alongside Physics and Chemistry), before going on to study Mathematics and Business at The University of Warwick. It was at Warwick that he first encountered Ian on the rugby field where they developed an on-field bond linking backs and forwards as scrum half and number 8 respectively. After a decade-long hiatus, this connection was renewed by coincidence through a chance meeting in Windsor, and has since resulted in the formation of Swanshaw, with James providing the commercial and technical acumen in support of Ian’s academic prowess and pastoral diligence.

Following twenty years in solution design and commercial strategy, James currently provides brokerage and advisory services to the European Chemicals and Fuels markets at RPB INDEX, with a number of other private consultancies contracted via WINSHAW.