David Thom was a civil engineer and early advocate for environmental protection and the importance of sustainable development within his profession.
He changed the way engineers in New Zealand think and act towards the natural environment. He also had a major influence on environmental thinking for engineers worldwide.
David joined engineering firm, Jones, Adams, Kingston in 1952, becoming a partner in 1957 in what then became Kingston, Reynolds, Thom and Allardice (KRTA). David spent 35 years with KRTA, becoming a director in 1962 and retiring in 1987.