Born and educated in Darlington, Lawrence “Tom" Sawyer left school at 15 becoming an Engineer's apprentice at Robert Stephenson & Hawthorne's railway works in the town. Made redundant aged 21, Tom moved to Coventry where, not only did he find work in the automotive industry, but was given an introduction to trade unions soon becoming a Shop Steward at Lockheed Brakes company based in Lemington Spa. In 1971 Tom became an Officer for the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE), a Regional Officer for the union in 1975 and in 1981 Deputy General Secretary. His work with NUPE led him to the Labour Party where between 1981 and 1994 he served on the National Executive Committee. In 1994 he became General Secretary for Labour, working to modernise the party and help form New Labour, which was victorious in the 1997 General Election. He stepped down from the Labour Party in 1998 and was created a Life Peer the same year, Baron Sawyer of Darlington. In 2005 Tom became chancellor of the University of Teesside, a post he would hold for 12 years. He is currently President of The William Morris Society, an artist who has helped inspire Tom in his union work for many years.