Tom Ainsley is a Marine Engineer with a First Class Certificate of Competency (Motor). Additional qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering Degree (with Honours) in Marine Engineering and Management and a Master of Laws in Maritime Law (with distinction).

Tom joined Brookes Bell in July 2017. Prior to joining, Tom was at sea over a period of ten years serving on large Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax vessels, attending the new building and commissioning of part of a fleet of newbuild multi-role diesel-electric Oil Recovery Vessels/Platform Supply Vessels (ORV/PSV) and subsequently working offshore on these vessels in the North Sea. Tom has sailed in positions up to the rank of Second Engineer and has considerable experience in operation and maintenance of medium and high speed diesel engines, Dynamic Positioning (DP) system maintenance, diesel-electric systems, as well as geared and clutched transmission systems. During his time at sea, Tom has attended numerous drydockings, Failure Model and Effects Analysis (FMEA) trials and DP trials.