Tom is head of Ocean Climate & Science at the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) with a remit covering integration of the ocean into national and global responses to climate change. Tom has previously held a number of roles in the UK government including leading the Ocean Country Partnership Programme, the UK’s marine science technical assistance programme under the Blue Planet Fund; leading domestic policy on plastic waste and pollution; and improving the scrutiny of overseas aid. Tom’s background is in natural sciences with a BSc in Environmental Science and MSc in Environmental Modelling, Monitoring and Management.