"I went to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB) from 1999 to 2004, and then had the interesting experience of joining Hill View's sixth form when it first started admitting boys – there were just two of us. That was quite a change from an all-boys school and probably helped me learn a thing or two about getting along with different people. When me and my friends turned 18, I started DJ'ing and trying my hand at organising some events at nightclubs around Tunbridge Wells. This was probably the moment I realised what I really wanted to do with my career. Be my own boss and have some sort of place in the music industry. 

University at Lincoln, where I studied Drama, was a bit of an unexpected turn in some ways. It was there that I was fortunate enough to receive a £5,000 government grant, which actually became the starting point for what I do now. I started a Drum & Bass night called 'Flexout' at the Student Union's 'Engine Shed,' and I had a go at DJ'ing there, which led to some other DJ opportunities around the Midlands during my time at Uni. Later, in 2011, 'Flexout' grew into a record label called 'Flexout Audio.' After university, I moved to London and worked full-time in the City at Deloitte while trying to build Flexout in my spare time. It took quite a few years of hard work before the business was bringing in enough for me to focus on it fully. Now, as the record label and events continue to do okay, I was able to leave the shirt and tie behind and I'm fortunate to do this full-time and even have a couple of other people working for me. 

 
Tom Bassi –  Label Manager 

Class of 1999