“Dedication, desire, and a relentless work ethic. You have to want it. You have to work for it. And you have to show up every single day.”

For Thomas Walker, the journey from the sunlit rugby fields of KwaZulu-Natal to the global boardrooms of London has been one of grit, vision, and relentless pursuit of excellence. A proud Michaelhouse old boy and former first-team rugby captain and prefect, Thomas always knew he was destined to play big—not just on the pitch, but on the world stage of business.

Now based in the UK, he wears several hats: Strategic Account Director for Feedonomics, the world’s leading feed management platform, and founder of a growing portfolio of ventures, including Stone Bridge Capital, Ross Walker Holdings, and Nettleton Group. Each role tells the story of a South African who backed himself—and won the away game in spectacular fashion.

Feeding Global Growth: Thomas at Feedonomics

Thomas’s international leap began shortly after completing his final year in Entrepreneurship at the University of Cape Town. He packed up his bags for Los Angeles to join a rising tech startup—Feedonomics. What started as a modest team with an ambitious idea has now grown into a global leader, with over 550 staff, more than 3,000 clients across 80 countries, and 27 billion SKUs processed daily, resulting in 800 billion per month.

“Our mission is simple: to help businesses list their products wherever people shop online,” says Thomas. “We combine cutting-edge technology with a dedicated team to deliver unmatched results.”

It wasn’t long before Thomas was entrusted with a major task—helping expand Feedonomics into the UK market. It was, as he describes, “a turning point in my career.” With his CEO at the time, Shawn Lipman, backing him fully, Thomas relocated to London, ready to carve a presence for the brand in EMEA.

“The UK market wasn’t familiar with Feedonomics like the US was,” he explains. “But we hustled hard, built the right relationships, and earned the trust of some of the region’s biggest names.”

Winning the Away Game

Thomas’s vision and commitment have been central to the company’s EMEA growth. Today, he leads all commercial discussions and negotiations across the region, often working with Fortune 500 giants to tailor scalable e-commerce solutions.

He attributes his success abroad to three things: “Dedication, desire, and a relentless work ethic. You have to want it. You have to work for it. And you have to show up every single day.”

Yet, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Visa delays initially forced him to return to South Africa, but this period, as he calls it, “was a hidden blessing.” Back home, he launched a property investment firm, an investment syndicate, and a financial services company—all of which continue to thrive with the support of strong business partners.

That entrepreneurial muscle, exercised during uncertain times, would prove vital when Thomas finally returned to London with a clear mission: to build something meaningful on foreign soil. And that, he has.

Building More than Just Businesses

Alongside his role at Feedonomics, Thomas is now expanding into UK-based e-commerce himself. His latest venture? An online distribution company that will initially focus on crockery via digital channels.

“I see real potential in this space,” he shares. “And I’d love to collaborate with fellow South Africans who’ve walked this path before. There’s so much power in our network abroad—and when one person succeeds, we all do.”

For Thomas, giving back is non-negotiable. He’s passionate about creating opportunities for fellow South Africans—especially those wanting to break into the tech space or relocate to the UK.

“If someone in SA wants to work hard and make the leap, I want to be part of that journey. Whether it’s visa sponsorships through Feedonomics or future roles in my own companies, helping others build new lives here is something I am deeply committed to.”

Vision for the Future

Thomas is clear-eyed about his goals: grow his distribution company into a vehicle for job creation and mobility, continue driving impact at Feedonomics, and create more pathways for Saffas to succeed abroad.

He’s also on track to gain UK citizenship—proof of his deep commitment to the country he now calls home. “The UK is full of possibility,’ he says. “It would be a missed opportunity not to make the most of what’s on offer.”

And yet, his heart remains proudly South African. “South Africans bring something special: a world-class work ethic, humility, and hunger for opportunity. That combination? It’s dynamite!”

Connect. Collaborate. Conquer.

Whether it’s forging new partnerships, scaling e-commerce platforms, or mentoring the next generation of South African expats, Thomas Walker is doing more than just winning the away game—he’s rewriting the rules of what success looks like for South Africans abroad.

And for those coming up behind him, he’s got a simple message: “Don’t be afraid to take risks. Success doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. But when you push through the discomfort—magic happens.”