Paul is Chief Executive of Ashton Community Trust, a community based charity working on regeneration through social enterprise. Ashton was set up in 1988 through a share drive by local people. The original centre is owned by 450 shareholders from the local community and the organisation now owns five other Centres. Ashton currently employs over 160 people in some of the most deprived wards in Northern Ireland. The group delivers a wide range of services including: childcare, health, education, training, Fablab and economic development and is recognised as one of the leading social enterprises in Northern Ireland.

Paul has a Masters in Voluntary sector management and is a member of NICVA’s executive. He is very interested in the potential for social innovation and the Basque experience to be used in the northern Irish context. Paul has been CEO of Ashton for over 20 years.