Beginning his career in strategic consulting with W S Atkins, Paul then spent around two decades in senior management in the automotive sector in UK and North America with Massey Ferguson and Perkins Engines. This was followed by almost a decade in private equity in UK becoming a partner with ECi Ventures focussed on management buy ins and buy outs. This was followed by four years as Managing Director of Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) investing in low- and middle-income countries.
Paul has chaired the boards of several private companies. He joined the advisory board of The MENTOR Initiative in 2003 and its main board in 2011, serving as Chair from 2017 to 2024.