Tom is a Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer. He joined the firm in 2005 and has extensive experience of assessing the suitability of residential properties to meet the needs of people with disabilities, as well as the valuation of properties and purchase (and rental) price negotiation.

With Tom’s experience of adapting homes for disabled people, he specialises as an Accommodation Expert Witness in personal injury and clinical negligence cases, receiving instructions from solicitors representing both claimants and defendants.

Tom is a member of the Expert Witness Institute, a Tier One Expert for the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and holds the Certificate of Expert Witness Accreditation from Cardiff University Law School/Bond Solon. Tom is actively involved with the acquisition (purchase and rental) of properties and the implementation of inclusive design projects for individuals with severe disabilities throughout the country. He has designed a wide range of schemes for the adaptation of existing properties and specifically designed new-build dwellings to meet the needs of individuals with a wide and complex range of disabilities.

Tom regularly provides CPD training, webinars and conference / seminar talks on searching for and assessing properties that can be designed to enable individuals with disabilities, and is often invited to speak about expert witness work and its impact in the litigation process.

He welcomes requests from litigators, deputies, case managers, rehabilitation specialists, charities and others to speak at events or provide training. Tom is part of the senior management team at Steven Docker Associates, helping to lead the vision, values and strategic ambitions of the business and ensure that every member of the team is supported and inspired by the work that we do, ensuring everything we do is Designed to Enable.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work?

Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to work with many clients, some of whom have become friends. I have been able to work with people who have experienced life changing catastrophic injuries from an early stage, when they are just beginning to put their lives back together, through the process of finding and adapting a home with them and seeing what a huge difference this makes to them.

What do you enjoy away from the office?

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, meals out and supporting my beloved football team – Manchester United. I also have a passion for motorsport and skiing.