Tom was born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent, playing violin in as many youth orchestras as time permitted, before discovering the classical guitar, which he then went on to study with Craig Ogden and Gordon Crosskey at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he now lectures alongside his former teachers.

After postgraduate study in musicology at the University of Manchester, Tom established an exciting career as a freelance guitarist, with performances ranging from concertos at Aldeburgh Festival to experimental electro-acoustic installations in alternative venues throughout the UK. He's performed at most of the major festivals, such as the BBC Proms, Brighton Festival, Edinburgh Festival and is a regular visitor to Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and Aldeburgh Festival.

Since 2012, Tom has been a regular voice on BBC Radio 3, hosting the Breakfast show from MediaCity in Salford, the station's flagship contemporary music programme Hear & Now, live concerts throughout the country, and from major events such as the opening night of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Baroque Spring, BBC Piano Season and the Free Thinking Festival.

Tom lives in Glossop and has two young daughters Nancy and Nina.