Doctor of the University
Technology entrepreneur and educational philanthropist, Tom is Chair of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), CEO of London based Crossword Cybersecurity plc and a Non Executive Director of FTSE100 company WPP plc – the world’s largest advertising group.
Previously, he was a BBC Board member and Managing Director of Consumer Markets at Callcredit Information Group. Tom founded the identity protection company Garlik and served as Chief Information Officer of pioneering internet bank Egg plc. His career has also included roles at Goldman Sachs, PwC and the London Stock Exchange.
Tom is an Honorary Fellow of both Jesus College, Oxford and St Anne's College, Oxford. He is Chair of the education charity, African Gifted Foundation and launched the African Science Academy – the first girls’ science and technology school in Africa. In 2017, Tom was named as Britain’s most influential Black person. In 2018, he was appointed a CBE for services to Technology and Philanthropy.
Meet our other recipients
June Sarpong
June is a media phenomenon and is the only host of her generation that is equally comfortable interviewing politicians, celebrities, and members of the public.
Professor David Croisdale-Appleby
David has led many public sector organisations in medicine, health and social care, social work, forensic science, and criminal and civil justice.
Tim Jackson
A biology graduate who has always been inspired by the natural world, Tim had a career in applied agricultural entomology before taking on various lecturing and leadership roles at land-based colleges.
