Tom Payne
Founder & Managing Director of TPK Knotweed & ZIRKON
Over a decade of experience helping homeowners, developers and public sector clients tackle Japanese Knotweed across the UK.
Professional Background & Expertise
BSc (Hons) 1st Class in Building Surveying
Nottingham Trent University
Founded TP Knotweed Solutions in 2011
After extensive research on Japanese Knotweed during his degree
Founder of ZIRKON
a specialist UK environmental services company
Member of PCA, CHAS, Constructionline, Safecontractor, CSCS
Proven Track Record
NHS, JCDecaux, Bellway Homes, Knight Frank, and more
The Story
Tom founded TP Knotweed in 2011 with a student loan, a second-hand van, and a strong belief that things could be done better. While writing his dissertation on Japanese Knotweed, Tom saw a clear gap in the market. With no external funding or business background, he launched the company from scratch, designing the first website, handing out leaflets, and taking survey bookings from a paper diary.
Growth didn’t happen overnight. In the early months, there were no sales, long days, and a lot of trial and error. But Tom stayed focused. He brought in Oliver Zito, a friend with a tech background, and together they introduced new systems that changed the way the business operated. Switching from notebooks to a custom CRM helped them scale quickly, growing from 20 live contracts to over 100 in less than a year.
Since then, Tom has continued to invest in people, systems, and technology. From van trackers and drones to client portals and GIS equipment, TP Knotweed has grown into one of the most recognised names in the industry. Today, Tom oversees both TP Knotweed and Zirkon, focusing on strategy, quality of service, and long-term growth.
Tom’s Guides on Japanese Knotweed
Tom regularly shares practical advice based on over a decade of hands-on experience. Whether you’re dealing with knotweed on your property or just want to understand the risks, his videos and articles break it down simply.
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