Paul is a 'city boy', being born, bred and educated in the city of Belfast. The youngest of three boys, life largely for him centred around school, the Boys' Brigade and the church youth club. Three years of living in 'student halls' while attending Stranmillis College, Belfast, provided time for honing the rugby skills (Kings Scholars), athletics and badminton - oh and there was dancing as well - 1960's style!

Little did he realise that the blonde lassie from 'up the country' who had caught his eye during her first year at college would later become his wife and this, despite the fact that after graduating, they both started their teaching careers eighty miles apart - he in Belfast and she in Londonderry (that place up the country). Around this time Paul completed his degree in Mathematics at both Open and Durham Universities. After their marriage they taught in different schools within Newtownabbey but eventually joined forces in the same school, when he was appointed Headmaster of Rathcoole Primary School. What a funny old world it is! Paul's headship of 23 years culminated in 2002 with the award of an MBE for services to education.

Paul was invited to join the Rotary Club of Newtownabbey in 1983, and served as Club President in 1993/94. He was honoured by his Club with a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1997 and recommended to District for receipt of the "The Four Avenues of Service Citation" in 2001, followed in 2003 with a Multiple Paul Harris Fellowship of One Sapphire. In recent years he has had significant input into the 'Life Education Centre' Joint Club (Newtownabbey/ Carrickfergus/Larne) Project. He accompanied the 2005 and 2006 Youth Leadership visits to Strasbourg as one of the team leaders. He is both a Sustaining Member and a Rotary Foundation Benefactor.

Paul has been delighted to serve District as Assistant District Secretary (2003/04), District Secretary (2004/05), Assistant Governor 2005/07 and subsequently District Governor Nominee in 2006/07.

Paul has an abiding love for music having been involved in stage productions when a teenager and latterly, with Marney in the church choir, in shows and various musicals. They both enjoy travelling and have attended Rotary International Conventions in Chicago (Paul on his own), Copenhagen, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, making many friends on the way. All of these are great opportunities for Paul to pursue his keen interest in photography.