He attended Oxford University, reading English Language and Literature at Exeter College under the tutorship of Jonathan Wordsworth, graduating in 1976.
In early 1981, with Peter Gabriel and a group of colleagues, including Martin Elbourne, chef Jonathan Arthur, Stephen Pritchard and Bob Hooton, Thomas devised and organised the first WOMAD Festival in 1982.
Built in 1869, The Palace is a landmark Bristol City centre building and is famous for its sloping bar floor and elaborate Victorian columns and ornamentation.
Described by the BBC as having an 'open-minded, music-first, approach' he has worked on collaborative and creative projects with many artists from all over the world, including Bill Cobham and Asere,[9] Madosini and Patrick Duff,[10] David D'Or, Totó La Momposina,[11] Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Terem Quartet and Trilok Gurtu.
[13] In 2008 he was made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his life services to music and charity.