Along with his wife, Eleri Maitland, Tom built up FIN to be a highly successful language school in Rouen, northern France. The school is an active member of language school association IALC and a Quality FLE-accredited member of the Groupement FLE group of schools. It opened its doors in 1992 and now teaches over 2000 students from over 60 countries.

Four years ago, Tom was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and although an initial operation was successful he developed further symptoms last year. He died, peacefully, at his rural home near Rouen on Tuesday, 26th August 2014.

He is survived by his wife Eleri, who will continue running the school, and his daughters Fleur, Tasmin and Emily and his brother Ken.

The family have requested that anyone wishing to send floral tributes instead donate to Tom’s favoured charity, Heart, which supports a children’s home in Malindi, Kenya.

One teacher at the school, Joanna Lefevre, said, “His passion for teaching French was an inspiration to me from my first days as a teacher until now.”