Tom has 26 years of military service in the Royal Air Force having joined in 1988 and working in a wide variety of roles and was awarded the MBE in 1999 whilst serving with NATO, including in the Falklands, Basra, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Injured while in Basra in 2006 after falling during an IDF attach and sustaining a head injury, Tom went on to serve in Afghanistan in 2008 performing a challenging role in the repatriation of NATO forces.
He collapsed with a seizure after his return from duty and it was discovered that Tom had an abnormality on the front of his brain. He was diagnosed with epilepsy often triggered by flashbacks or news reports on Afghanistan. His care pathway saw him treated in DMRC Headley Court, Aldershot and the National Society of Epilepsy and within the NHS.
A passionate speaker, Tom, who is still suffering with seizures and MTBI and PTSD, has now been able to speak to a wide audience both in the clinical setting at Oxford University and in the corporate world. He provides a fascinating insight into the treatment he received and how it can help all those that will have experienced and witnessed trauma. He also brings a holistic open approach to a subject that many choose not to discuss that does affect the military and wider society.
Well-being in the work place and mental resilience can provide business with the edge. Tom explains the techniques that formed a part of his treatment and that are used to treat soldiers. He outlines how they can educate leaders and businesses from any field in a clinical and corporate setting to get the best out of their people.
Since his injury Tom believes that out of such adversity can come opportunity by sharing his experiences and to help others who may suffer in silence. He undertook work placements in the financial services sector and IT sector. Tom is currently an Ambassador for 3 charities, including Help for Heroes, and a Scout leader in his spare time.
Tom has spoken recently at Schools a FTSE 100 company in Canary Wharf and Corpus Christi at Oxford University.
'Tom gave a fascinating and deeply personal talk which gave us an invaluable insight into the nature both of life in a war zone and of the debilitating impact of injuries to both the mind and the body. An exceptionally brave, generous and warm-hearted man, what really shone through during his talk was his humanity and courage.'
JP Morgan"It has been a true pleasure to get to know Tom over the last year or so. It is rare to find patients who are prepared to discuss their conditions in such an engaging and amiable way as he can. Nothing is too much trouble, the feedback that he receives is outstanding and he manages to connect with audiences brilliantly. The Oxford Epilepsy Research Group feels very lucky to be able to call on Tom for a wide variety of speaking occasions"
Arjune Sen Consultant Neurologist and BRC Senior Lecturer, John Radcliffe HospitalTom Stimpson MBE was a speaker at a national 'Progressing Veterans Mental Health' conference which I chaired in Manchester yesterday.
He was an engaging and lively speaker who built a good rapport with his audience and who spoke informatively and authoritatively about his topic.
I would wholeheartedly commend and recommend him.
Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes PsychD CPsychol CSci FBPsS FRSM Director, Veterans and Families Institute, Anglia Ruskin UniversityI had the pleasure to meet Tom and hear him talk at a conference in Manchester on 16/9/2014. He was a warm, genuine and engaging speaker, who was able to tell his complex story in a simple yet heartfelt manner which enabled him to reach out and connect with his audience. I was not alone in finding his presentation interesting and rewarding to hear.
Dr. Christine Openshaw DClinPsych CPsychol AFBPsS, Consultant Clinical PsychologistTom, an ex-student of Hazelwick, delivered a motivational presentation at three of our Awards Evenings at the end of the summer term. Tom's presentation was extremely well planned and delivered with authority, passion and integrity. His powerpoint slides and 'Help for Heroes' video were both informative, highly enjoyable and deeply moving. Parents, staff and students who were present commented extremely positively on Tom's presentation and I would have no hesitation in recommending him as an inspirational speaker and role model for young people.
Ms A Fearon, Headteacher, Hazelwick School"It was my pleasure to hear Tom Stimpson speak at an Air Cadets dinner in Crawley. His account of the psychological impact the theatre of combat can have on service personnel reminded me of the on-going debt of gratitude we owe to those who defend our freedoms and national interests. Tom conveyed this personal cost in an impressive, thought provoking yet positive, optimistic way."
Henry Smith MP, Crawley Constituency
A dynamic and versatile speaker, Josh is able to draw upon his experience and expertise to give inf…