Paul who was born in Manchester in 1953 grew up in the suburb of Gorton. He spent many years working in the food industry in technical, commercial and sales/marketing roles and as Chief Executive, conducting business in the UK and in many parts of Europe.
He is Chairman of The Monastery in Manchester, a charity co-founded with his wife Elaine in 1996 to save Gorton Monastery from ruin; and sits on the advisory board of the Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust. He is a judge of the International Indian Chef of the Year competition, a representative member of the North West of England & Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadet’ Association (NW RFCA) and a qualified Helicopter Pilot. Paul was named National Heritage Hero by The Heritage Alliance in 2012 and awarded a Honorary Doctorate for services to community by The University of Bolton in 2014.
Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 2004, he was High Sheriff of the County in 2013/14 and served as Vice Lord-Lieutenant between 2017 and 2020.
Paul and Elaine have a daughter Katy and step children Heather and George and a Cocker Spaniel Dog inappropriately named Angel.