Tom currently runs two companies, Blue Ventures and Travelroots. He is also currently working with a number of other ex-OE members to start a ‘ground-breaking business’. Watch this space…!

Profile of Blue Ventures

Blue Ventures is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to facilitating projects and expedition that enhance global marine
conservation and research. Since 2002, we have run over 25 expeditions with over 280 international participants to Madagascar, Tanzania, New Zealand, The Comoros and South Africa.

Blue Ventures co-ordinates expeditions consisting of scientists and volunteers working hand-in-hand with local biologists, marine
institutes, NGOs, and communities whose livelihoods depend on these ecosystems, to carry out research, environmental awareness and conservation programmes at threatened habitats around the world.

Profile of Travelroots

Travelroots is a responsible Travel agency set up to try to help ensure that travel does good, not harm. Despite their good intentions, most tourists damage the places they visit. Travelroots believes that the best holidays are those places where ones hosts care deeply about their local environment and their guests.

Problems he’s had and how he’s overcome them

Setting up and running a fully-functioning diving and research centre 250km from the nearest phone/road in South-West Madagascar, with no communication other than by satellite telephone. We overcame it by an incredible amount of hard work!

Major successes

Last year we were highly commended in the responsible travel awards, this year we have won the SEED Awards. Our project incorporating; Madagascar’s first community-run, self-sustaining experimental Marine Protected Area was chosen as a ’shining example of how economic development and environmental protection can go hand in hand’, by the international panel which made the selection. More recently I was runner up in the social category of the Enterprising Young Brits Awards, from over 4000 applicants.

What I love about (social) entrepreneurship

Being able to be free to run with your own ideas, dreams and goals!

Further details

• Visit www.blueventures.org
• Visit www.travelroots.com