In addition to Chairmanship of Clean Up, Ian is chairman of capital C and is patron of the Central Coast Mariners Football Club, the Australasian Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association, the Sydney Agricultural, Rural and Public Land Trust, the Enviro-Finance Association of Australia, Mens Shed, the Sapphire Coast Discovery Centre in Eden NSW, Spirit Sports Leisure Group Mosman Rowers and the Sydney Flying Squadron.

In 1993, Ian was made a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global 500 Laureate for leadership in the local and global environment. The prestigious United Nations Environment Programme Sasakawa Environment Prize was awarded to Ian in 1998, while in 1999, the World Association of Girl Guides nominated him for the Building World Citizenship Award.

In recognition of his leadership in the environment and the community both in Australia and internationally, Ian was named 1994 Australian of the Year. Ian holds the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and on Australia Day 1995, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). Ian was also awarded the prestigious Banksia Foundation Fellowship in the same year. 2003 saw Ian awarded the Centenary Medal and in 2005 the children of Poland voted him a Companion of the Order of the Smile.

Ian was awarded a Doctor of Science Honoris Causa by the University of New South Wales in March 2006. During that year, he also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and their Conservation Built Heritage for Project under $1 Million award for his restoration work on an 1830’s farmhouse Westham in Bathurst.

In 2011, Ian was recognised by Readers Digest as the 4th Most Trusted person in Australia. As an avid sailor and Ambassador for the Great Barrier Reef, Ian maintains his love for the sea as patron of a number of sailing groups including ASPECT Sailors with Disabilities, SCEGGS Redlands and Scots College Youth Sailing Programmes.