Tom originally left school with hardly any quals. Which is funny when you think about it: because he has worked with three Secretaries of State for Education and other skills ministers; advised several overseas governments; published books and a report or two about tertiary education; as well as authored many articles on skills and apprenticeship training policy.

The leading peak-level body responsible for quals, the Federation of Awarding Bodies, appointed Tom their CEO in 2018. Tom’s other passions include cricket and hosting the Skills World Live radio show; which brings back to life his digital DJ skills, first honed in his 20s as a tech house DJ living in Shoreditch and Ibiza.