What a super night on Thursday 24th September 2026 at Pontefract Masonic Hall to celebrate Ian’s fabulous achievements both as a man and a mason. Ian was Advanced into Pontefract Lodge of M.M.M. No. 878 on the 23rd of September 1976 and has not looked back since.
Ian was born in Oldham Lancashire, 1947 and went to The Kings School in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. He married his wife Christine in 1973 and together they enjoy travel and theatre. Amongst his many other interests are cars and in earlier times water skiing and golf.
Ian’s personal career and masonic career have been to say the least, remarkable. Leaving school at 16 with no idea of what he wanted to do. His first job was making Christmas trees in Castleford! Things very quickly sorted themselves out and his financial brain rapidly progressed him onwards and upwards. Taking up various roles with West Riding County Supplies, Knottingley U.D.C., Tadcaster R.D.C., Leeds City Treasury, Yorkshire Water, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and various National and International organisations, he also acted as a Trustee and Treasurer of many other organisations, too many, to mention.
His masonic life began when he was initiated into De Lacy Lodge No. 4643 in 1974. He was then Advanced into Pontefract Mark Lodge No. 878 on the 23rd of September 1976. He served several years as secretary, Lodge organist (which he still is) and charity steward of that Lodge and was finance director of Pontefract Masonic Hall 1996 – 2002.
In 1994 Ian joined the West Yorkshire Mark Charity Executive which is where his dedication and passion for our wonderful charity The Mark Benevolent Fund and, West Yorkshire’s very own charity The Cleeves and Whitehead Trust began. Holding various roles such as Trustee, Treasurer, and chairman of Trustees. Ian is instrumental in continuing to develop and enhance all the fantastic things our charity does for both masons, their dependants and non-masonic organisations. He was appointed a Trustee of the Mark Benevolent Fund in June 2025.
Ian is also a member of a Mark lodge in the Province of Worcestershire and is an active member in The Mark Province of North and East Yorkshire. His charity work is undoubtedly a credit to him, and he richly deserves all the ranks he holds as a Grand Lodge officer in both Mark and RAM. He was awarded the Provincial Grand Master’s Special Award in 2023 in recognition of all the work he did during our Festival period.
Many congratulations Ian for your fifty years as a Mark Master Mason and we look forward to many more years of your continued active and dedicated service to our Province and your great passion for both the Mark Benevolent Fund and The Cleeves and Whitehead Trust.
You are of course a true Craft Mason but as you say Mark Masonry is your passion.
Andrew Johnson
Communications Manager