“Tom Cheesewright is a consultant and commentator who has been working with technology-based businesses since 2000.

Following a degree in Mechatronic Engineering at Lancaster, his career began in earnest at tech marketing consultancy Noiseworks where he had the opportunity to work with high-tech businesses large and small, including BT, HP, IBM, RealNetworks, Sonus Networks and Tellabs.

In 2005 he moved to Manchester and formed IO Communications as a vehicle for freelance consultancy. Alongside work for Noiseworks, IO collected an array of direct technology businesses in the Northwest of England, including Martin Dawes Systems, Penrillian and location-based gaming start-up, mGami.

In addition to the consultancy business, Tom began a series of experimental ventures, including Eggheads, a home technology support business, and U-Takeaway, an online ordering service. He also began blogging and was soon asked to contribute to local (and occasionally national) BBC programmes. He now appears regularly on BBC Radio Manchester, reviewing gadgets alongside Darryl Morris on a Sunday afternoon, and provides advice on comment on technology issues across the station’s other shows. He has also appeared on national TV and radio, commenting on ITV’s digital strategy and the government’s broadband plans for 5Live and BBC Radio Wales, and talking about social media on BBC One’s The Big Questions.

In 2008 Tom began working with Jack Carpenter, an experienced web designer based in Manchester, and together they created the concept of Intelligent, Content-Driven Marketing (ICDM), an approach to marketing that leverages the reach, immediacy and network effect of digital channels and combines it with educational and entertaining PR-type content. Jack joined IO Communications and the business was re-branded as The Lever with the aim of selling combined web and content solutions.

In April 2009 following a chance meeting with Andrew Brown-Allan of And Partners, a successful Manchester creative agency, Tom and Jack were offered the opportunity to quickly advance the growth of The Lever by becoming part of the And stable as And Digital. The new business grew rapidly to seven staff and over the following year completed work for brands such as Iceland Foods, De Vere Hotels, Manchester United, the Church of England, Contour Housing and Edenred.

In January 2011, Tom left And Digital and restarted IO Communications in order to return to working with the tech sector and to create time for work on other business interests. These include Eggheads, two blogs, and a t-shirt brand. Tom is also the co-founder of CANDDi, a marketing automation software start-up based in the North East of England, and retains an active interest in its development and growth. Today Tom’s consultancy time is split between working with technology firms to help them communicate their propositions to the market effectively, and helping marketing businesses incorporate digital into their client’s strategies (and their own operations). “