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Tom was brought up in West Africa at a time when Civil Engineering had a huge impact on everybody's way of life - ferries were replaced by bridges, laterite roads upgraded to tarmac etc., etc. It was hardly a surprise that Tom decided to become a Civil Engineer but as is the way of things, having graduated in Engineering with Economics at Oxford University, he never worked abroad and has spent most of his career being involved in major schemes generally in the South East of England.
He spent the first five years of his career working for Mowlem on the construction of the National Westminster Tower during which time he designed the slipform methods for constructing the core. (He subsequently was joint author of an ICE paper on the construction of the Tower). This experience led Tom into remaining with Contractors and to being involved generally in major building projects. These projects have included hospitals, prisons, MOD facilities as well as educational departments and of course commercial offices. Many of these projects had significant challenges but the project that gave him the most satisfaction was a major hospital in Kent where he was Project Manager which (unusually for a hospital) not only went very well but was also of great benefit to the local community.
Tom has been part of the South East Management Team for Sir Robert McAlpine for the last eight years. During this time he has been involved in projects with difficult basements, retained façades and challenging logistics. He has spent a lot of time dealing with the ever increasing demands from Clients in terms of quality and programme.
His particular interests include solving technical problems and finding easier, faster and safer ways to construct through increased prefabrication and more systemised construction on site. Projects that he is currently involved in include Condor House, which is a retained façade building by the steps of St Paul's, Cardinal Place at Victoria where the District and Circle Line run through the basement and Colchester Garrison where several thousand bedroom suites are being manufactured off site. Although generally involved in building projects he was for, a change, involved in the Millennium Footbridge and Croydon Tramlink.
After more than 30 years in the industry he counts himself lucky that he is still very active in the construction process and that at least part of every week is spent on site. He also enjoys working in and around London despite the problems of traffic and congestion and thinks that it is impossible to beat the "buzz" of London.
When he is not at work he is very keen on sailing and anything to do with the sea. For the Paviors Company he has been a long serving member of the Liverymens' Committee and now on Court, and organises the Paviors entry to the Swimathon.
Tom has been married to Mary for 31 years and she has put up with the ridiculous hours that our industry demands with a fantastic amount of patience and good humour. They have three grown-up children, James, Robert and Elizabeth.
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