Paul joined PD Ports as Chief Technology Officer in 2020, a new role created to help drive technological and operational transformation of the business. An accountancy graduate from Northumbria University, Paul started his career in auditing before qualifying as a chartered accountant.
He joined Formica Group in 2001 and spent 10 years in various financial roles, starting in the UK then taking on roles for the European and then the Global business, before moving into Business Development focusing on manufacturing consolidation, growth and acquisition opportunities. He was assigned to the Formica Asia business, based in Shanghai in China to help grow the business, then in 2012, was appointed Global CIO of the Formica & Laminex businesses, a €1bn revenue division of Fletcher Building, at that time Formica’s parent company. In this role, he looked after 7 business units around the world, with over 5,000 employees – the main focus of the role was leading two ERP programmes, implementation of a number of cloud applications and development of the Digital programme. In 2015, Paul was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Formica EMEA business, with responsibility for manufacturing, supply chain and all operational aspects of the business, including HR, customer service, procurement and IT. Apart from the day to day operations, the role was focused on the turnaround of the European business, with a number of major programmes including a major investment in a key manufacturing site. Paul holds a Masters from Durham University and is also a Trustee for the Percy Hedley Foundation, a local charity that provides education and support for children & adults with special needs.
