Tom Sansom

Tom Sansom serves as the Managing Principal at Close Counsel, where he provides strategic advice and innovative training solutions that enable clients to achieve commercial success. With extensive experience in renewable energy, he has managed the delivery of large-scale PV and BESS projects, including navigating grid connection approvals and technical investigations. Prior to this role, Tom was a General Manager at Thiess Services, where he led the commercial, legal, and risk management functions of the billion-dollar enterprise. His leadership contributed to numerous high-value contract negotiations and complex M&A deals. As a General Counsel, he transformed the legal function into a crucial business partner, enhancing the team’s capabilities in contract negotiation, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and crisis management. Tom’s previous experience as a Senior Associate at Ashurst involved negotiating infrastructure contracts, handling Supreme Court litigation, and advising on government processes. He also played a key role in client management and mentoring associates. He began his career as an Associate at Gadens Lawyers, honing his skills in a broad range of legal matters. Tom holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts in History from The Australian National University, complemented by an Executive Leadership Program from The University of Queensland. His blend of business leadership and legal acumen underpins his commitment to delivering infrastructure projects sustainably.