ACCOMPLISH MAGAZINE APRIL 2024

COVER
Tomi Davies(TD)
His Career
Accomplishments
By Adebayo Afolabi
Harry Tomi Davies, or simply
Tomi Davies(TD) as he's
known to many, is a
powerhouse in the world
of technology, especially
when it comes to Africa. His journey
is a fascinating one, spanning
continents, sectors, and roles. From
corporate leader to angel investor,
entrepreneur, and philanthropist,
Davies has a relentless passion
for using technology to empower
people and places.
Davies' story starts after graduating
from the University of Miami. He
began his career as a Systems
Engineer at IBM, a solid foundation
for the tech expertise he'd cultivate.
But his heart, it seemed, was calling
him back home to Nigeria. He joined
Elf Aquitaine, an oil giant, and quickly
rose to become the Head of Data
Processing. This early experience
gave him valuable insights into
managing technology within a large
organisation.
Seeking new challenges, Davies
returned to the United Kingdom
in 1990. He landed at Marks &
Spencer, a major retail brand,
where he became the Head of IT
Research. This role placed him at
the forefront of a burgeoning trend
– the internet. Under his leadership,
Marks & Spencer secured its domain
name and built its very first website,
a pioneering move at the time.
Davies' talent for navigating the
ever-evolving tech landscape was
evident.
He later transitioned to Ernst &
Young, a prestigious consulting firm,
where he served as an Executive
Consultant. Here, he honed his
strategic thinking and business
acumen, working with leading
companies like AB&B, Legal &
General, and Novartis.
The late 1990s saw the rise of
the dot-com boom, a period
of explosive growth in internetbased
businesses. Recognising
the potential, Davies jumped
at the chance to be part of this
revolution. He became the Chief
Operating Officer of Futurewealth,
Ernst & Young's business incubator
dedicated to nurturing new tech
ventures. When Futurewealth was
acquired by Cap Gemini, Davies
and his team took their expertise
to Sapient, another major tech
player. There, Davies wore the hat
of Head of Strategy, and his team
played a role in building direct.
gov.uk, a pivotal website for the UK
government.
Davies' commitment to his home
country remained strong. He
returned to Nigeria to serve as
the Chief Operating Officer of
Alteq, a public-sector consulting
firm. Here, he spearheaded the
implementation of a ground
breaking project – the first-ever
biometric-based Integrated
Payroll & Personnel System (IPPIS)
for the Nigerian government. This
innovative system, funded by
the World Bank, aimed to bring
transparency and efficiency to
government payroll processes.
In 1999, he founded TVC Labs where
he serves as Collaborator-in-Chief
(CiC). TVC Labs is a technologyenabled
innovation hub in Lagos,
Nigeria.
His influence extended beyond
corporate roles. In 2012, he cofounded
the Lagos Angel Network
(LAN). This organisation is a gamechanger,
connecting individuals and
organisations with the resources to
invest in and mentor promising tech
start-ups based in Lagos, Nigeria.
Recognising the potential across
the continent, Davies went on to cofound
and become the President of
the African Business Angel Network
(A-BAN) in 2014. This pan-African
organisation works tirelessly to
support the development of earlystage
investor networks, fostering
a vibrant tech ecosystem across
Africa.
Through A-BAN, Davies has become
a respected figure, travelling to
various African countries to share
his knowledge and expertise. He
actively participates in educating
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