John Thomson

I began my career in the Printing Industry but being born in Liverpool, the company did a great deal of work for the many shipping companies then based in that city. Whilst in this company I qualified as an accountant and served two years National Service with the Kings Regiment in Korea.

In 1964 we moved to Bristol where I worked as Chief Accountant for a large printing company, which produced books and magazines.

In 1972 I was promoted within the group and became Finance Director of a group of companies based in Aylesbury. By this time we had a family of four and bought a house close to Lord William’s School in Thame, which meant my children could stay in bed until quite late. During this time, Robert Maxwell took over the group and this led to some exciting and arduous times.

In 1989 I left to become Deputy Charmin of a company manufacturing books and joined the board of the Baird Group, which owned to company. I retired in 1999 and since then have helped a number of charities including Sight Savers, as well as Daybreak.

My main hobbies are playing golf and choral singing. My wife Hilary and I have eleven grandchildren.