Bill Thomas (businessman)
Sir William Gennydd Thomas (born 1959) is a British businessman. Early life and education Born in 1959, Thomas is the son of Jack Thomas, a deputy headteacher, and his wife Hetty. He grew up in Colne, where he attended primary school; he was then educated at St Theodore's Comprehensive School in Burnley before completing his undergraduate education at the University of Leeds; he graduated with a BSc in mathematics. Thomas went on to complete an MSc in digital systems at Brunel University and an MBA from the Cranfield School of Management. Career Thomas began his career working in radar development at Marconi, before joining the US-based IT services company Electronic Data Systems (EDS); he remained there for 25 years until the end of 2008, during which time the company heavily expanded its presence in the UK. Initially recruited to work in its manufacturing division, Thomas eventually became head of the company's division in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He served as the regional vice-president from September 2000 to January 2003, the vice-president and general area manager for EMEA from January 2003 to December 2006, and the executive vice-president for the same region from December 2006 to December 2008.