In a previous life Ian Banks was once a television repair man. He might not be able to cure you but he can do wonders for your vertical hold. He has four children, delivering one himself. “Not quite the same as child birth but at least I got to shout ‘push’.” He represents all doctors for the British Medical Association as a member of Council for the UK and awarded the BMA accolade, the Association Gold Medal. He worked on the Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP formerly Doctor Patient Partnership) for six years and is a founder board member of the Self Care Forum (UK)

He is the official spokesman on men’s health issues for the BMA, president of the European Mens Health Forum and former president the England & Wales Men’s Health Forum, past vice president of the International Society of Mens Health, past deputy editor of the Mens Health Journal and for six years the medical editor for The Men’s Health Magazine. 

The BBC book ‘The Trouble with Men’ was written by Ian in 1996 to accompany the television series of the same name. It was followed by Men’s Health, The Good Patient Guide, The Children's Health Guide, Get Fit with Brittas, Men’s Health in General Practice, Ask About Sex and the 50th NHS Anniversary book from the NHSE/HEA The Home Medicine Guide. He is also the author of the NHS Direct Healthcare Guide and Web site.  

His other books include “the Dad’s Survival guide”, the Haynes” Man Workshop Manual” (2^nd Edition) the Haynes “Baby Workshop Manual” (second edition), the Haynes Sex Workshop Manual. Haynes “Woman Workshop Manual” the Haynes “Cancer Manual” (the only book in 2004 to win the Plain English Award), Haynes HGV MAN manual on men and weight, ‘Brain’ deals with men and mental well being. His latest book is ‘Toddler Manual’. He has written or edited over 150 small manuals on various areas of mens health with a distribution of over 2m.

Ian was appointed visiting professor of mens health in Europe by Leeds Metropolitan University in 2005 and awarded the Royal Society of Public Health Gold Medal for  public health in 2007 followed by appointment to the Academy in 2012.  The City of Vienna and the International Society of Mens Health honoured Ian with their award for public health in September 2007. In 2012 the RSPH appointed Ian as Professorial Fellow to the Society. He is now visiting professor to the University of Ulster. He currently chairs the European Cancer Organisation (ECCO) patient advisory committee. and the European Forum Against Blindness. In 2013 he was appointed to the board of the European Cancer Concord which produced the ‘Cancer Patients Bill of Rights. On December 2013 he was appointed honorary Senior Lectureship on men and cancer in Queens University medical school while also acting as guardian for the RCGP syllabus and statement on mens health. Of particular pleasure is his trusteeship with the European Pharmaceutical Students Association in 2014.