Hailing from London, Ilan has two decades of experience working in finance, government and NGOs across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He has degrees in East Asian Studies from the University of Sheffield, and Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Tel Aviv University.

Starting professional life at BNY Mellon in London, Ilan moved to Beijing in 2009 to develop his knowledge of the region and learn Mandarin. He worked as a teacher and for the UK government in the Chinese capital before relocating to Tel Aviv for graduate studies. Ilan freelanced with several prominent NGOs and universities in Israel before returning to Beijing to join the newly established Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He was later based in Shanghai helping international companies to grow and manage their operations in the Chinese market.

Ilan is currently employed by a board mentoring community for senior business leaders that is based in London. He devotes much of his spare time to conduct mediation and develop other conflict resolution initiatives, including his own practice, Orchid Mediation 义兰调解, which aims to transform conflict of all kinds into positive outcomes using people and culture-centred mediation processes with a focus on the East Asia region.

Outside of work, Ilan enjoys music, hiking, and practising yoga and tai chi.