Tom was educated at Wellingborough Grammar School and gained a Kitchener Scholarship to read geography at University College London in 1972. He was appointed as a research assistant on graduation and undertook three years' research in historical geography at UCL.  Tom has pursued two separate careers, one in commerce and the other in the military serving as a platoon commander in the 1st and 2nd battalions of The Royal Anglian Regiment and, subsequently, 14 years in the TA. Tom's business life is unusual in that he has developed successfully three diverse ventures under the umbrella of The Dormer Group. These interests include licensed property valuations, stocktaking, retail audits and asset registers, and a software house designing and supplying systems for payroll and accounts. He also developed the largest natural stone supplier and installer in the UK, specialising in designing and manufacturing high–quality natural limestone floors and facades.