THE MAGIC OF 'MAYBE'

We were excited to welcome Tom Toumazis MBE for an inspiring talk with our Year 11 and Sixth Form students. Tom, a seasoned entrepreneur with a remarkable career spanning entertainment, media, and technology, shared his personal journey—from his first job washing dishes to becoming a deputy chairman of multiple companies and a respected public speaker.

 

Tom’s TedTalks, like “The Art of the Nudge” and “Maybe”, are well-known for their thought-provoking insights, and his visit to our school was no exception.

 

As a kid, Tom had two great loves - food and TV. (Who can’t relate, right?) At just 12, he started working at his dad’s Greek restaurant washing dishes, before steadily climbing the ranks to part-time manager. This early experience taught him teamwork and responsibility—skills that would serve him well in his future career.

 

As an adult, Tom has worked at some major companies in the entertainment world—think ITV, Yahoo!, Eurosport, and even Disney. He has also contributed to organisations focused on children, like the NSPCC and the University of Westminster. In 2015, Tom’s dedication to helping children earned him an MBE, after raising an incredible £9 million for Children in Need. 

 

During his talk, Tom shared valuable advice with our students, reminding us of the importance of saying "thank you" more often. He also recommended we check out TED Talks to learn from professionals in different fields—an inspiring way to discover new passions or potential career paths. (Bonus tip: make your own TED Talk! It’s easier than you think. All you need is your voice and a recording device.)

 

We would like to thank Tom for his inspiring talk and the gift of his time with us!

 

I was lucky enough to chat with Tom after the event, where he shared his take on the modern business world. According to him, “It’s almost like you’re competing with the person next to you, but the real competition is with yourself.” A refreshing reminder that personal growth trumps rivalry any day.

 

Tom also talked about how important his dad had been in shaping his career, as well as a Chief Executive named Robin who influenced him along the way. Inspired by Tom’s “Maybe” speech, I asked him how the world of “maybe” could impact children. He explained that the word "maybe" sneaks into our vocabulary through our parents (we’ve all been on the receiving end of a “maybe” at some point!) and that it has the same effect on kids as it does on adults—uncertainty, but also possibility.

In the end, Tom’s talk left us all feeling motivated and ready to take on the world - well, at least our next set of exams! His wisdom and wit made a lasting impression, and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we left the room feeling just a little bit more inspired.