Tom Ray was born in Sydney and raised on the Gold Coast where he attended The Southport School. In 1994 he graduated from Bond University with a Bachelor of Communications (Business) degree in Marketing and Communication.

He began his career in Sydney at advertising agency John Singleton Advertising (becoming Singleton Ogilvy and Mather) where he was a Group Account Director; then moved to Macquarie Bank Limited (Sydney) as Business Development Manager in the Macquarie Banking and Property Group.

In 2001, Tom moved to London, UK and became the Managing Director of 0800 Reverse Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of then Australian-listed telecommunications company, Reverse Corp Limited.

Tom returned to Australia in 2003 to join his family property development and investment business, the Ray Group where he became CEO in 2005 and continues as Executive Director today. 

Tom is currently the Managing Director of Accessible Homes Australia, an NDIS registered provider of Specialist Disability Accommodation.

Tom has been an active member of his community. He is one of the founders of the Salt Surf Life Saving Club at Salt Village. He is a past Councillor of Bond University, past President of the Bond University Rugby Club, past Trustee of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, a current Director of The Southport School Foundation and current President of the The Southport School Rowing Supporter Group.