The A-List: 2008

Job

Investment director, publishing

Company

MindShare

Work Telephone

02079694040.

Address

40 The Strand, London, WC2N 5RF

Fantasy business partner

Genghis Khan.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

I recycle as much as possible, grow my own vegetables and buy as much local produce as I can.

Greatest influence

My family.

Clubs

Old Vikings, Ludgershall players.

Favourite gadget

PS3.

Desert island objects

A yacht, a map, a compass.

Most-admired politician

Gandhi. He said: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

Favourite media

The Times, The Week, American Chopper, Radio 4, eBay.

Biggest risk taken

Answering the question "Does my bum look big in this?" truthfully.

Perfect day

"Be intent upon the perfection of the present day," William Law said.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Mike Myers.

Career highlights

Started 1985? still employed today.

Fictional hero

Flashman, who is also my anti-hero.

Hidden talent

Making people believe I have some.

Best job outside advertising

Scarifying people's gardens.

Lowdown

One of the more talented of the press buying community, Thomas now presides over MindShare's investment across other media. "Thommo" remains a familiar face on the media owner dinner circuit, but still somehow finds time to spend with his young family.

Most expensive purchase

My children's education. Still counting.

Why are you good at what you do?

Simple. I get paid to do something I like doing.