Meet Tom – One Half of the Giftwhale Duo

Get to know Tom, the marketing and content mastermind behind Giftwhale. Discover his interests, achievements, and what makes him tick!

Originally published on 25th Oct 2022 | Updated 6th Feb 2025

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By Matt Buckland
Co-founder of Giftwhale

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If you caught our last blog post, you’ll have met one half of the Giftwhale duo—Matt. Now, it’s time to introduce the other half: his older (and, in his opinion, wiser) brother, Tom.

The format is the same, but the answers? Well, let’s just say we’ll find out if they really think alike…

🏡 Childhood & Personality

What’s one word you’d use to describe yourself as a child?

Studious

What was your favourite subject at school?

Geography

What was your best toy as a child?

Lego—I absolutely loved it, and I can’t wait for my children to set up my old Lego town! Even if they’re not keen, I think I’ll still set it up anyway!

🎉 Life & Interests

How do you relax?

  • If I’m on my own: a good run

  • If the children are around: a walk in the woods or a game of Uno

  • If the children are in bed: a full-bodied red wine

What trait do you most admire in others?

Honesty

Favourite film?

Top Gun

Favourite food?

Rare roast beef, horseradish, and Yorkshire pudding

When are you happiest?

On holiday

Best holiday?

As a child: The countless holidays on the Cornish coast—so many great memories.

As an adult: Going to Lapland with my wife and three children. A truly magical experience!

🏆 Achievements & Lessons

Biggest achievement?

Aside from finding someone who’d actually marry me... Completing my PhD while working full-time. When I started, I had no children. By the time I submitted it, I had three! No idea how I found the time for it.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in the past year?

It takes considerable effort to get your brand or idea heard!

☀️ The Perfect Day

Describe your ideal day:

The children not waking us up before 7:30 am. A run before breakfast. A hot day on the beach, digging big holes. A BBQ in the evening before climbing into fresh, clean bedsheets.

If you could sum up Matt in one word?

Cheeky.

🎁 The Giftwhale Team

At Giftwhale, Tom is the driving force behind marketing, social media, and content. Whether he’s crafting engaging blog posts, managing social media, or finding new ways to spread the word about Giftwhale, he ensures the platform reaches more people and continues to grow. His knack for storytelling and strategy helps shape the voice of Giftwhale and connect with our amazing community.

Want to see more behind-the-scenes content? Why not send us a message and say hello or connect with us on social media (Twitter & Facebook)—we’d love to hear from you!


The Giftwhale Team
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