Tom was born in Crewe in 1954 and grew up in Leek, Staffordshire. He was one of the first intake of boys when a Girls Grammar School became comprehensive Westwood High. He is a Biology graduate from Lancaster University and has a teaching qualification from Oxford University. He taught in comprehensive schools and also in further education. He is the author of a textbook on intertidal ecology.

Tom has lived in Buxton since 1991 with his wife Teresa. They have 3 grown up children and two grandchildren.

Tom was elected MP for High Peak in 1997 after 14 years service at all levels of local government, including Derbyshire County Council. He was for a year a vice chair of Education. He was also a member of the management committee of High Peak Citizens Advice Bureau.

As a consultant on disabled access to services and information (1993-97) Tom wrote 3 books: Sound Policies, Sound Practice and Clear Access. These deal with the way local authorities provide services for people with hearing and visual impairments. Tom also worked as a successful Deaf Awareness trainer.

As one of the few MPs with a qualification in British Sign Language, Tom was an elected Trustee of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) from 1998 to 2003. He has chaired the Community Development Foundation since 2004.

Tom is a keen cricket fan who enjoys skiing and swims regularly. He also enjoys going to the theatre and walking.