Ian Millner, Co-founder and Chairman of Iris Worldwide, CEO of Cheil Connec+ and Non-Executive Chair & Board Advisor, Takes on NOMAN Charity Row to Support the Fight Against Cancer

Ian Millner, co-founder and chairman of Iris Worldwide, CEO of Cheil Connec+ and investor led NED, is pushing his limits and stepping out of his comfort zone to raise funds for a remarkable cause. On July 24th, Millner, as one of a dedicated team of five, will embark on a non-stop rowing journey across the Mediterranean, from Ibiza to Barcelona, as part of the NOMAN charity race. This challenging race unites individuals and teams from around the globe, all committed to raising awareness and funds in the battle against cancer.

NOMAN is a global charity with a resolute mission to eradicate HPV-related cancers. Millner and his team are joining forces with a passionate community of individuals striving to win the fight against this devastating disease that impacts countless lives.

The row holds a profound personal significance for Millner, as it was the brainchild of their dear friend, Antony Lingard, who tragically passed away just before the training phase. Lingard's memory continues to inspire the team of five, consisting of Millner, Jude Lingard, Dan Childs, John Butts, and Sam Czerpak, to not only complete the challenge, but take it on with a competitive edge.  This challenging race demands rigorous training, unwavering physical endurance, and unwavering mental resilience. Rowing non-stop across the Mediterranean for three days and three nights presents inherent risks, even with a support boat on the horizon. It will test the limits of each individual and the collective strength of the team.

To support their cause and contribute to the fight against cancer, Millner kindly urges everyone to donate using the Just Giving link below. Every contribution will make a meaningful difference in this battle.

Ian Millner comments “This literally makes no sense. I’m not a rower. I’ve never rowed…and after this, I’ll never row again. But I told my late friend Antony that we would do it….so do it we will! We are losing too many people to Cancer, including my fellow iris co-founder Sam Noble. It will be an epic challenge, and we have many challenges to overcome….some life threatening, and some merely disturbing.”

About Ian Millner

Ian, and some friends founded Iris back in 1999. Forward to 23 years later, Iris is a growing global creative innovation network that specializes in helping clients understand and respond to future opportunity and has over 1,000 people in 17 locations working with clients such as Samsung, adidas and Starbucks. In 2021 Ian took on the new role of Chairman for Iris. In 2022  he joined Cheil Worldwide, to spearhead Cheil Connec+ - a new proposition that brings together strategy, creativity, innovation, technology, data, retail, CRM, pricing and performance marketing to help clients achieve “outperformance”. The role brings together specialisms from Cheil Worldwide agencies Cheil, Barbarian BMB, Iris and McKinney in order to answer global client briefs, spanning 53 offices and 6,500 staff. Ian’s a private investor in agencies and currently holds various NED, Chair and mentoring responsibilities among a portfolio of 7 businesses across gaming, creative, digital, brand and publishing.

Ian has lived and worked all over the world and is married with 3 children and lives near Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. Having been a very keen rugby and cricket player earlier in life, Ian is now a very keen tennis player and open water swimmer. 

Just Giving www.justgiving.com/fundraising/antonylingardrowing

Follow Millner and his team's progress on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmillner/ or @meddlingwaves}

NOMAN https://www.nomancampaign.org/.