Mr Thomson worked in research and technical services associated with the leather trades until 1968 when he was appointed works director at the largest lambskin clothing leather tannery in the UK.

In 1994 he was appointed chief executive at the Leather Conservation Centre. He retired in 2004.

He was an accredited conservator, fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and fellow of the International Institute for Conservation. He is past chairman of the Council of the Museum of Leathercraft and treasurer of the Archaeological Leather Group.