Brian Thomas graduated from University of College of Wales, Aberystwyth where he also obtained his doctorate in plant physiology. Following post-doctoral study in Canada and the UK, he worked as a research scientist at the Glasshouse Crops Research Institute which later became Horticulture Research International. In 1995 he moved to HRI Wellesbourne where he is Head of the Molecular and Environmental Physiology Department. He is currently a Vice President of the Association Internationale de Photobiologie.