08/12/2025
✨ Meet The Team Monday – Tom: Operations Director at The Focus Group ✨
Driven by a lifelong passion for helping others, Tom now oversees the day-to-day running of the organisation and supports our team to deliver the best possible care.
He loves the challenge, the variety, and the impact our work has on the people who walk through our doors.
Read on to learn what motivates him, the book he always recommends, and why he actually enjoys turbulence… ✈️✈️✈️
What’s your role, and what does a typical day look like for you?
I’m the Operations Director here at Focus, with my day spent wearing a variety of different hats. I have overall responsibility of the day to day running of Focus, with my business partner Pete supporting the Clinical Services we offer.
My day could include reviewing our organisations financial position, supporting team members with challenges or developing strategic relationships. It varies massively from day to day, and that’s why I enjoy it.
How long have you been with the Focus?
I left University in 2007 in search of a graduate placement, I faced an immediate barrier with this, in so far as I didn’t actually apply for any. With this part of my master plan scuppered, I came to Focus to work as a part time administrator in the same year, I have now worked in just about every role (other than within the Clinical Team) throughout my nearly 19 years with the company.
What inspired you to join this field?
I have always been inspired by the helping professions. With my father working at Hull University, founding FASU (Family Assessment and Support Unit) and my mother in Teaching, I could see their passion for helping those around them each day.
If you know the history of Focus, you know what is means to those who work within it. Each person joins for reasons bigger than themselves - each day I’m inspired to do the best I can for those that do their best for others.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Each day is different, and working in business is hard. The reward of overcoming challenges big or small keeps me invested in our growth.
Each person that walks through our doors is often taking a step into the unknown, they’re offering their most honest selves to our clinicians, this carries a huge level of responsibility.
Seeing people recognised, often with life changing or affirming outcomes, is something I don’t think you get in any other world of work.
If you weren’t in this role, what job would you love to try?
I always wanted to be a pilot, I still love jumping on a plane, and although I hate rides, I love turbulence! Terror and excitement in one moment, what’s not to love.
What’s one book, TV show, or podcast you’d recommend?
The Kite Runner - I’m not an avid reader, but I’ve read it on four or five occasions now. It’s a book about fear, redemption and a cause bigger than yourself. Give it a read!
If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
Send me back to Mallorca with my bike please. Not exactly glamorous, but too much fun!
