He brings experience from both the education and private sectors, giving him a clear understanding of how to balance operational needs with the school’s educational priorities.
Paul began his career in technology and marketing before retraining as a mathematics teacher. Over the past 20 years, he has taught mathematics and business in the UK and New Zealand and gradually moved into leadership roles. More recently, he served as Deputy Principal and then Director of Finance and Operations, combining his experience in business management with an understanding of the school environment. “This background means I understand both the business side of running an organisation and the educational priorities that guide everything we do,” says Paul.
After nearly 12 years at Queen Margaret College in Wellington, Paul was ready for a new challenge. “Diocesan’s reputation for educational quality and the size of the school were appealing,” Paul explains. While he has no previous formal connections with the school, he has long admired Diocesan and is looking forward to being part of the community.
In his role, Paul is responsible for campus development, property maintenance, finance, commercial contracts, IT systems, risk management, and operations such as the Aquatics Centre and the Diocesan Shop. “I make sure the operational side of the school runs smoothly so teaching and learning can happen effectively,” he says. Since joining the school, Paul has focused on understanding how it operates and identifying ways to improve processes across all business functions.
With exciting projects already underway at Dio including the Shrewsbury Centre refresh, Paul sees his role as supporting the school in planning and coordinating developments while keeping disruptions to a minimum. “I look forward to helping create spaces that support learning and a sense of community,” he says.
Paul enjoys the variety of his work and collaborating with different teams to make plans happen. He finds it rewarding to see improvements benefit students and staff, whether through better facilities or more efficient processes.
He is looking forward to contributing to Diocesan’s growth and development. Personally, he and his wife are excited to settle into Auckland, explore the city and discover the local community, culture and outdoor opportunities the region offers.
