He left Marconi in 1959, joining English Electric Leo Computers, moving to Cryosystems Ltd. in 1964.

In 1968 he joined the International Research and Development Company, where he spent sixteen years, before moving to manage defence sales at Northern Engineering Industries in 1984.

[5] From this point on, unlike his father, who had not spoken in the almost twenty years he held a peerage,[5] Ironside took an increasingly active part in the House of Lords.

[2] His contributions were mainly focused on scientific issues, though in later years he took an increased interest in defence procurement.

These ninety-two were selected by ballot, both from the whole House and by party groups; in the election of Conservative peers, Ironside received fifty-six votes, ranking him sixty-eighth out of 113 candidates.