We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Thomas Jude Arnold. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Click on the heart to let us know you were here and to receive email updates. Thank you for your support but please do not send flowers. Thank you for... see moreWe created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Thomas Jude Arnold. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Click on the heart to let us know you were here and to receive email updates. Thank you for your support but please do not send flowers. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Thomas Jude Arnold, the youngest of a family of four children. His love for his family meant he was never far from one of them. Born and raised in Lancashire and educated at Northumbria University, he lived, worked and died in Switzerland. He was drawn there by his love of the mountains and he raised the spirits of everyone he met. A formidable skier and a wonderful climber, Tom loved the quiet of the mountains and the lake. He had... see more
Thomas Jude Arnold, the youngest of a family of four children. His love for his family meant he was never far from one of them. Born and raised in Lancashire and educated at Northumbria University, he lived, worked and died in Switzerland. He was drawn there by his love of the mountains and he raised the spirits of everyone he met. A formidable skier and a wonderful climber, Tom loved the quiet of the mountains and the lake. He had time for all those he met, socially, professionally or walking the dog. His life was cut tragically short on the 5th Feb 2021. He will be sadly missed by his partner Eleonora, his family in England, Europe and Switzerland and his extended family in Ireland.
I was completely caught off guard by this news as Tom is in my electronic file of people to connect with during recruiting season. I first got to know him at Leysin American School around 2011 when I needed a last minute math teacher and he was starting... moreI was completely caught off guard by this news as Tom is in my electronic file of people to connect with during recruiting season. I first got to know him at Leysin American School around 2011 when I needed a last minute math teacher and he was starting his consultancy. We stayed in touch over the years. Every time we spoke, it left me thankful that I knew him. He was a funny, kind, authentic guy and someone I am so happy to have known. My heart breaks for him and his family. less
Like a few people on here, I met Tom through work at Teachanywhere, where we quickly became good friends. It is difficult not to like Tom. He is kind, conscientious, caring and a funny guy.
And so when he set up his own consultancy, I was honoured... moreLike a few people on here, I met Tom through work at Teachanywhere, where we quickly became good friends. It is difficult not to like Tom. He is kind, conscientious, caring and a funny guy.
And so when he set up his own consultancy, I was honoured that he would come to me for advice or suggestions. It meant that we spent quite a bit of time discussing how we would disrupt the current recruitment market and take over the world ( one day Rodney)! He was also somebody who would give me council, often when discouraged by work, it was an ongoing joke that despite telling him in 2008 that I was leaving recruitment that I was still in it in 2021!!!
He always struck me as somebody who really cares about what he did and how he did it, a deep thinker always wanting to do his best not just for the staff he worked with but the teachers he sent abroad and his colleagues in general..
Outside of work related topics he made me laugh each time I saw him, he was great company at otherwise boring conference and he was always a good man to be around and he was one of the few people that I would always have time for.
His death is a devastating shock which has been hard to process. It is clearly unfair and incomprehensible. We only spoke a week or so before his untimely death.... he will be missed.
I wish his family, friends and loved ones a long life less
I met Tom many years ago when I hired him for his first teacher recruitment job. I could tell he was a natural - intelligent, ambitious, engaging and caring. The things that make you a good person make you a good recruiter. He was such a charismatic... moreI met Tom many years ago when I hired him for his first teacher recruitment job. I could tell he was a natural - intelligent, ambitious, engaging and caring. The things that make you a good person make you a good recruiter. He was such a charismatic person, funny and kind with a hint of mischief. I can't believe he's gone so soon. The world is a much poorer place without him. less
My deepest condolences to Tom’s partner and family. I worked with Tom before he started Compass and he was a wonderful member of our small team and a really good friend. Although we worked in different countries, when we did all meet up we had some... moreMy deepest condolences to Tom’s partner and family. I worked with Tom before he started Compass and he was a wonderful member of our small team and a really good friend. Although we worked in different countries, when we did all meet up we had some wonderful times and fun memories. I’m very shocked and saddened to hear of his passing, it had been some years since we were in contact but I remember him fondly. A bright light gone far too soon. Xx less
I first heard about Tom in around 2015 when I was working in Madrid with the school Principals in the King's College group. We were chatting over dinner and got onto the subject of teacher recruitment. First one, then another and before long all of... moreI first heard about Tom in around 2015 when I was working in Madrid with the school Principals in the King's College group. We were chatting over dinner and got onto the subject of teacher recruitment. First one, then another and before long all of them were singing Tom's praises saying how reliable he was, how they trusted and liked him. He had clearly developed an exceptionally strong relationship with these people. I remember thinking "Wow! WHo is this guy? And how has he achieved this?"
It wasn't long before I found out. I was soon introduced to Tom by our mutual friend and fellow recruitment professional, Aaron Ashton. Tom helped us with an assignment for a client in China. Then we worked on another project together. Whenever one of our clients needed teachers, we were pleased to recommend Tom, knowing that he would look after them.
As time went on, I could see where all those warm words of praise in Madrid had come from. Tom was a remarkable man - gentle, honest, ambitious to do good work more than to make money, without ego, reliable and very humane and kind, too. I grew to like him very much and was greatly saddened when I heard that he had passed away.
I wish I had known him better and for longer. And to his closer friends, colleagues and family who did, I send you my most sincere condolences and hope you can remember for a very long time and will find peace in all the wonderful, happy moments Tom gave you. less
It is lovely to read all these messages about Tom. I knew him professionally before he became a good friend, so I’m probably sharing different thoughts here. We first met in c.2008, before he set up Compass. He told me that he wanted to work for... moreIt is lovely to read all these messages about Tom. I knew him professionally before he became a good friend, so I’m probably sharing different thoughts here. We first met in c.2008, before he set up Compass. He told me that he wanted to work for himself so he could work a bit and ski a lot! Over the last few years, we shared some clients and we would regularly call each other up to discuss a problem, bounce around a few ideas or just chat. We’d meet up at the international conferences in Asia, Europe and the Middle East and at least one of the nights of each conference we would escape the busy event to have a quiet beer (or two...) together and catch up - which was always the fun highlight of the conference when we were both essentially missing home and he wanted to get back to Eleonora. He was a great guy to have on the conference quiz team though - amazing geography knowledge for a mathematician! It always seemed to me that his business was an extension of him. He put his heart and soul into it although he joked that Heather - and more recently Rachel - did all the work for him. He was really respected in the sector; he worked ethically, diligently and cared deeply about the schools he was helping and people knew it. He was entrepreneurial and driven in business but kind and fair with it. He had great plans for what he wanted to do and was very successful because, as far as I could tell, anyone who met Tom could see clearly that he was a great guy. I’m shocked and terribly sorry for your loss - he was a wonderful man. less
I had the good fortune to share an afternoon with Tom as we drove up to Verbier to purchases season passes together this past fall. Bosco sat in my lap, happy as a clam, as we talked about our shared love of skiing, the mountains and how we had both come... moreI had the good fortune to share an afternoon with Tom as we drove up to Verbier to purchases season passes together this past fall. Bosco sat in my lap, happy as a clam, as we talked about our shared love of skiing, the mountains and how we had both come to live in Switzerland. He was such a warm and friendly soul. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. less
Lucky our paths crossed through our coworking space in Vevey.
Tom was such a caring person, such a beautiful soul.
We used to bring our dogs to the park (Bosco and Mina became friends since little when they were adopted) and had some cafe breaks... moreLucky our paths crossed through our coworking space in Vevey.
Tom was such a caring person, such a beautiful soul.
We used to bring our dogs to the park (Bosco and Mina became friends since little when they were adopted) and had some cafe breaks together.
He was spontaneous and joined our group at work for some winter swimming.
He was a language lover, always interested in learning. When he started with german, he kept practicing his french.
I remember him saying, "I'll be teaching german to Bosco, the language of authority", which made me laugh so much as a german speaking colleague.
Our dear friend, Tom, his smile, his presence in the office will be missed so much.
My deepest condolences to Eleonora and his family, wishing you lots of strength and patience to overcome this painful loss.
While time goes, the memories will stay forever.
May Tom rest in Peace 🙏 less
I met Tom at the Office Hub in Vevey. He was a very warm and friendly guy, and although we have been surrounded by many wonderful Swiss colleagues, it was great to be able to share some british humour and regular laughs with him.
He came to do circuits... moreI met Tom at the Office Hub in Vevey. He was a very warm and friendly guy, and although we have been surrounded by many wonderful Swiss colleagues, it was great to be able to share some british humour and regular laughs with him.
He came to do circuits with me a few times, and we occasionally went for coffee or lunch. He was always easy company and a good man to spend time with.
My heartfelt condolences to Eleonora and Tom's family, both now and in the difficult days ahead. His warmth and cheeky smile will be much missed by all of us at the office. He was a wonderful colleague, and will not be forgotten. less
Desperately sad that Tom has left this world too soon. Such a cheery, warm personality. One memory that still brings a smile to my face was at Lucille's christening; Tom and I were both named godparents; and when we arrived for the christening, Tom... moreDesperately sad that Tom has left this world too soon. Such a cheery, warm personality. One memory that still brings a smile to my face was at Lucille's christening; Tom and I were both named godparents; and when we arrived for the christening, Tom came up to me, with that little grin on his face, and said "Eh, Selina, when Kath told me you were godmother, I thought 'I'm going to have to up my game!'". He then gave me a gentle nudge and with a glint in his eye, winked, and said, "So, what did you get her then?" For me, that was just Tom; little bit cheeky, but just so lovely with it. So sad for the whole family that he's gone. Sending you all our deepest condolences. Selina & Derek xx less
Tom was my best friend in primary school. Nothing but great memories in Toms company. I loved going swimming every Friday after school. Had a few ‘firsts’ with Tom, a bbq at the lovely family home, canoeing and Alton Towers. Once we were trusted to... moreTom was my best friend in primary school. Nothing but great memories in Toms company. I loved going swimming every Friday after school. Had a few ‘firsts’ with Tom, a bbq at the lovely family home, canoeing and Alton Towers. Once we were trusted to go to Southport fair but Tom lost his wallet 5 minutes in!!! Plenty of birthday parties too whether it was Toms or Kirstens! Treasured memories forever.RIP Tom. less
Such sad news. We only met Tom once at Paul and Kirstens wedding, but he was such a lovely, warm and friendly person. So generous, inviting us to stay with him in Switzerland, as Karen mentioned it was somewhere she would love to go. We're sure he will... moreSuch sad news. We only met Tom once at Paul and Kirstens wedding, but he was such a lovely, warm and friendly person. So generous, inviting us to stay with him in Switzerland, as Karen mentioned it was somewhere she would love to go. We're sure he will be missed by all that knew him. All our love to family and friends, Lee and Karen. less