University Validation Team

Tom Ings

Principal, International College of Oriental Medicine

Tom Ings BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MBAcC, Lic.Ac., PGCertHE is the Principal of The International College of Oriental Medicine. After graduating with an honours degree in Geography, Environmental and Development Studies from the University of Sussex, Tom taught English in South East Asia. Upon training in Shiatsu he developed an interest in Chinese Medicine and went on to study Acupuncture at The International College of Oriental Medicine where he was awarded a first class honours degree.

Tom joined the faculty of ICOM in 2008 and has been teaching undergraduates at the college ever since, obtaining a PGCertHE from the University of Brighton in 2009. He was appointed Director of Studies in 2019 and remained in this post until 2024 when he became ICOM’s Principal.

Tom has almost two decades of clinical experience and runs a busy multi-bed community acupuncture clinic in Brighton as well as practicing at ICOM Cinic. His strong interest is in the psychology of Chinese medicine, in its potential to help patients live more freely and more wisely. He believes it is increasingly evident that our state of mind is of paramount importance to our sense of well-being. He is passionate about the possibilities Chinese Medicine has to help in this sphere and his mission is to ensure acupuncture is more widely accessible to all.

Sarah Major

Chair of the Board of Governors, International College of Oriental Medicine (ICOM)
Board Member, British Acupuncture Council (BAcC)

Sarah Major MBAcC, Lic.Ac., PGCert TA (Dip) is one of the most experienced acupuncture practitioners in the country with more than 30 years clinical, teaching and management experience. She has established and developed a successful and diverse practice in Sussex and has broad experience as a general practitioner, as well a particular passion for women’s health, (menopause, menstrual and gynaecological disorders and fertility). Sarah has successfully treated many thousands of patients including hundreds wishing to conceive naturally or with assisted fertility techniques to help them achieve their dream of a successful pregnancy.

After qualifying as a teacher in 2009 spent 15 years lecturing acupuncture students at ICOM (International College of Oriental Medicine) where she combined her knowledge of both clinical and academic expertise to share her knowledge and experience with those wishing to study the ancient art of acupuncture. In 2018 she took up the post of Clinic Director at ICOM and became a member of both ICOM’s and the BAcC’s (British Acupuncture Council) board of Governors in 2021, in 2024 she was elected Chair of the Board at ICOM.

As a lecturer Sarah taught undergraduates from Greenwich and Brighton Universities and postgraduate qualified acupuncturists, who wished to specialise in the field of women’s health. She has a broad and varied skill set to provide acupuncture to patients with conditions ranging from digestive disorders, headaches, migraines, skin conditions to joint and muscle pain.

Professor Dr. Salim Sumar

Member of the Board of Governors, International College of Oriental Medicine

With over four decades of experience in academic leadership and research Professor Dr Salim Sumar PhD has held senior positions at institutions in both the UK and internationally. These roles have included full professorships, department chairmanships, and head positions in postgraduate studies and academic schools. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to advancing research initiatives and fostering academic excellence across diverse institutional contexts.

Salim has supervised over fifty graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers globally, guiding them in conducting rigorous, impactful research that addresses both foundational theoretical advancements and critical societal challenges. Additionally, he has served on editorial boards of numerous leading international academic journals, contributing to the development of scholarly standards and ensuring the integrity of research dissemination.

As a public health scholar and practitioner, he has led various interdisciplinary research teams focusing on critical areas such as disaster response, food security, public health, and the well-being of vulnerable populations. His work has involved extensive collaboration with governmental bodies and United Nations agencies across Africa, Asia, Central Asia, and the Arab States, contributing to the development of evidence-based strategies and research-driven solutions to complex public health challenges.

Salim’s leadership approach is focused on strengthening institutional capacity, fostering a culture of research excellence, and building resilient academic environments. He is deeply committed to advancing teaching and research capabilities, mentoring the next generation of scholars, and driving initiatives that elevate academic standards while generating meaningful societal impact.