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Tom is a Senior Associate (FCILEx) in the Tech and Media team with a focus on commercial and IP related transactions. He has advised on matters covering a broad range of sectors including life sciences, tech, public sector, charities, and academia. Tom trained in-house and was previously head of a large, busy in-house legal team where he established a new function in research compliance. As part of this role, he led a programme of service delivery transformation which was shortlisted for an award in Innovation and Excellence by World Commerce & Contracting.

Tom is passionate about putting the client at the heart of legal services and is known for his focus, innovation, and pragmatism. In addition to being a qualified lawyer, Tom has PRINCE2 project management certification and has written for the Higher Education Policy Institute. Tom is currently the co-lead for Research Contracts at ARMA, a sector group of research organisations, and a member of a LawTech advisory board for an LLM in Law, Innovation, and Technology. He is a trustee for the CILEX Foundation, a charity providing scholarships to aspiring students and bursary funding to broaden access to legal careers.

Relevant experience

  • The University of Bristol in relation to the renewal of a multi-million pound MRC Unit and agreements required during the delivery phase of the Unit.
  • On urgent COVID19 agreements including complex data sharing between universities and local NHS trusts under a Control of Patient Information (COPI) notice.
  • University of Sheffield in relation to a framework agreement with Yorkshire Water.
  • A large London university on a multi-million pound contract with Wellcome LEAP.
  • An elite European university on the remit, function, and delivery of its contracting function.
  • A spin-out company on intellectual property ownership and licensing.

Memberships & Roles

  • Trustee, CILEX Foundation.
  • Co-Lead, Research Contracts SIG, Association of Research Managers and Administrators.
  • Co-Chair, Research Law Track, Society of Research Administrators International.

Education

  • MA, Law, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield.
  • BA (Hons), Philosophy, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield.

Insights by Tom

Spaceport Licensing in the UK: What Operators Need to Know

12 Feb 2026 3 min read

Spaceport licensing in the UK: What operators need to know

21 Jan 2026 5 min read

Freedom of Speech: do UK Universities comply with the new Act?

14 Aug 2025 8 min read

Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 - what the Labour government’s implementation means for UK universities

12 May 2025 6 min read
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