Case Study

Ian does what makes him happy

3 Jul. 2026

Ian Tolley will be a familiar face – and voice – to many people across the North West. Describing his local integration lead role as being the face of the Restart Scheme to external partners and stakeholders across Greater Manchester, he balances his work life with coaching and DJing duties for Blackpool Cricket Club. He’s a compere, podcaster, and internet radio host, fitting in accomplished amateur snooker and golf too. When his worlds combine, such as DJing for Ingeus’ Find your Future Fest or hosting the all-staff Ingeus Christmas shout-out show, he’s in his element. 

Unintentionally joining Ingeus 12 years ago, Ian goes above and beyond in his Ingeus work, driven, he says, by doing a job that makes him happy, for a company that values his talents. 

Initially training as a mental health counsellor, Ian spent years working in the entertainment industry before taking a career break prompted by the arrival of his triplets. Later looking for work, he was recruited as an employment advisor by the employability programme he signed up to. When that contract transferred to Ingeus in 2014, Ian followed suit and the rest, he hopes, is history. 

“I want a long career with Ingeus – I’d happily stay until I retire,” says Ian, who is 50, and has played an often leading role in setting up and delivering Ingeus’ major employability programmes across the North West.  

“I’m surrounded by committed, compassionate people, have always felt mutual respect from my managers, and have been given the chance to truly make an impact with the programmes we deliver. I feel valued and supported – from adaptations made when the children were younger to the training opportunities I’ve been given. I’ve got a brilliant new bike through the internal cycle scheme and regularly flex the eyecare and extra holiday allowance. 

“As a large organisation, Ingeus can offer all of those benefits but it also does it with heart. I joke that I have the Ingeus values invisibly tattooed on me; I believe that respect works both ways. Ingeus invests in me and I go the extra mile in return. Working here genuinely makes me happy.” 

Ian’s Ingeus career has seen him progress from keyworker to team leader, integration coordinator to lead, and he’s recently undertaken a four-month secondment as the partnership and integration manager for Greater Manchester. He also delivers internal training, is a mental health first aider, IT champion, and self-proclaimed Mr Fix-It.  

Now based back in Wigan in a hybrid role that sees him build relationships and coordinate activity with Jobcentre Plus, local councils and partners, how does his employability life compare to his entertainment past? 

“Well, the hours are easier!” concludes Ian. “My role is largely about communication – forging relationships, imparting information, sharing good news – so in that way it’s very similar. I’ve guess I’ve always been a people person and Ingeus is definitely a people place.”