Tom Brown

After graduating from Oxford University, Tom joined GKN plc, firstly as a graduate trainee and then as an executive, in the powder metallurgy division and after that in the engine bearing division. From 1986-1997 Tom was CEO or MD of B Elliot plc, Fenner plc and United Industries plc. There followed  a series of NED/Chairman appointments, and all told Tom has been a Director of 7 Stock Exchange listed companies and Chairman of 12 private equity, VC backed, and private companies.

Tom’s main interest is in renewable energy, materials technology, physics and engineering and his last appointment was Chair of Azuri Technologies Limited, a Cambridge University spin out, developing photovoltaic products for the off grid market in Africa which has achieved spectacular growth.

Throughout his career Tom has demonstrated an ability to turn loss making businesses into profitable ones and early stage ones into bigger ones. Since retirement he has published a book ‘Tragedy & Challenge, An Inside View of UK Engineering’s Decline and the Challenge of the Brexit Economy’.