Paul is an experienced ex Director of Children Services who led two councils out of intervention achieving recognition on both occasions for his leadership. He has extensive senior leadership experience in local government and in multi-agency partnerships with a particular interest in safeguarding children, early help and prevention and strategic commissioning.

He is a DfE Commissioner assisting councils to improve outcomes for children, a Partner at Coral Reef Improvement Partners where he supports councils develop relationship based commissioning to meet the councils sufficiency duties, is a Strategic advisor to People too, a Board Member at Merseyside Youth Association, and has been a member of the Kings Trust (previously the Princes Trust) Safeguarding Advisory Board.

Paul was awarded an OBE for services to children in Merseyside in the New Years Honours list 2021.