Tom was formerly Chief Executive of George Spencer Foundation School and Technology College during which time the school received consecutive ‘outstanding’ Ofsted reports.

The school became the first ‘grant maintained school’ in Nottinghamshire, one of the first 13 ‘specialist technology colleges’, one of the first ‘Beacon Schools’.

For 4 years Tom was Associate Director of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT)

He led for the Trust on workforce-remodelling and published booklets on ‘study leave’, ‘benchmarking and financial planning’, and ‘workforce reform’.

Working with Professors Hopkins, Hargreaves, Harris, and Jessen he helped develop international school networks in Australia, The United States and Hong Kong providing support to Deputy Headteachers who were preparing for Headship.

For 10 years Tom was a Trustee of the West Bromwich Albion Football Club Community Programme

For 7 years Tom was Chairman of FASNA (Freedom and Autonomy for Schools – National Association) and advised successive Secretaries of State on policy

Tom led over 100 roadshows for the DfE, showcasing academy status, the formation and growth of MATs, and financial management.

At the invitation of 2 secretaries of State, Tom served on 2 ‘special advisory boards’ one relating to the role of Local Authorities and the other on school funding

Tom worked with the DfE team on the development of the new National Fair Funding model.

Tom was appointed Chair of the IEB Members and Vice Chair of the IEB for an academy in Derbyshire which was in difficulties.

For 5 years Tom chaired Govnet’s Advisory Education Board helping to re-shape their Schools and Academies Shows and bringing an international dynamic to these events.

Presently Tom is an Ambassador for The Foundation for Education Development.