About Tom
From a professional perspective
After graduating from the University of Cape Town with a B.Comm degree (Economics major), my career in Financial Services began in 1994 at Fergusson Bros. Hall Stewart & Company.
Over the course of almost 30 years, my roles have ranged across stockbroking, corporate finance, investment banking, portfolio/asset management, financial planning, asset consulting and project management.
In 2010, I put my student hat back on and hit the books again and became a CFA charter holder in 2013.
For a full run-down of education and work experience, feel free to check out my LinkedIn Profile.
From a personal perspective
On a personal note, there have been a few stand-out events and life experiences that have shaped my view of the world…
I was lucky enough to grow up on the beautiful farm, Vergelegen in Somerset West. Beyond the beauty and luxury of my surroundings, what remains the truest highlights of my childhood are the friends I made on the farm and the fun times we shared. The diversity of our collective upbringings taught me to see the irrelevance of materialism and the relevance of love.
As a young boy, I would spend hours and hours fly-fishing. This taught me the art of patience and the joy of playing the long game.
I matriculated from Paul Roos High Gymnasium in 1988. These years taught me the value of healthy competition and its ability to extract and deliver excellence.
During my National Service years, I qualified as an Air Traffic Controller. Here, I learned how to deal with extreme stress and responsibility (and the negative effects that stress has on physical health!)
Despite not being the beefiest bloke on the block, I was selected to play for WP Rugby in 1993. This period taught me that fame and attention has upsides and definite downsides too.
Through being a dad of three grown kids and two teen stepkids, I’ve learned the art of humility and acceptance. Nothing puts over-confidence in-check quicker than the brutal opinions of your kids (and their willingness to share said-opinions with you!)
I started competing in various Triathlons as midlife approached. The lesson they taught me is that discipline, practised daily, can lead to success that supersedes initial assumed levels of talent.
The journey of a healthy marriage has taught me the value of having an awesome life partner and open, safe communication lines. It brings to mind the quote of Drew Barrymore’s character in the movie, ‘Ever After’, namely, “They lived happily ever after… but the point is, THEY LIVED.”
