Boomsatsuma is delighted to announce the appointment of Tom Sowden as our new Director of Education. With more than 25 years’ experience in Art and Design Higher Education, Tom brings a wealth of expertise in academic leadership, course development, and student-focused innovation.
Tom has held a variety of technical, research, and academic roles, and for the past decade has been a senior leader with a strong record of achievement. His career spans both art and design disciplines, giving him a valuable interdisciplinary perspective and the ability to lead diverse teams.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tom. His leadership experience, deep knowledge of the arts, and commitment to student success will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate. Tom shares our belief that education should be a springboard for every individual, and we’re excited about the impact he will make.”
Mark Curtis, CEO and Founder of Boomsatsuma
Most recently, Tom was Associate Dean (Education) at the Royal College of Art (RCA). There, he played a pivotal role in implementing a new academic model, developing research-informed programmes, and enhancing curriculum and assessment practices. He was also responsible for cross-College initiatives, including the Graduate Diploma, MRes RCA, and AcrossRCA – a large-scale interdisciplinary unit involving all 1,800 MA students in addressing the challenges of a changing world.
Before joining the RCA, Tom worked at the University of the West of England as Deputy Head of Department for the School of Art and Design, and at Bath Spa University as Head of Field for Design. He has also served as an external examiner across the UK and as a degree awarding powers assessor for the Office for Students. Alongside his leadership career, Tom has established a reputation in research and practice, with a focus on artists’ books and publishing. He co-founded the Bristol Artists Book Event in 2007, which continues to run today.
Tom grew up in Bristol and continues to live here. After early studies at local schools and colleges, he completed a BA in Fine Art at Southampton Institute (now Solent University) and an MA in Book Arts at Camberwell College of Art.
“As a Bristolian, I have long admired Boomsatsuma’s reputation and achievements. I’m excited to join such a forward-thinking organisation and to help shape its educational strategy, academic culture and student experience. In particular, I’m looking forward to developing and implementing a new Arts programme portfolio that will offer fresh opportunities for students to succeed.”
Tom Sowden, Director of Education at Boomsatsuma
