Paul graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) degree with Honors. He is a member of the Australian Institution of Engineers and of the South Australian Section of the Permanent Way Society.

His engineering career commenced in Asia, in countries including Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, on projects such as buildings, marine reclamation, channel dredging, oil and gas terminals.

His railway career began when he returned to Australia and joined the Australian Rail Track Corporation in South Australia, initially employed as a project manager, later he was promoted to strategic planner, and again to Asset Manager – South Australia.

This role included the management of the in-house staff and contractors required to maintain to acceptable service levels, 3600km of track and signaling assets. Terrain varied from steep curved sections in the Adelaide Hills, to remote and hot flat desert country across the Nullabor Plain.

He now represents RailPersonnel in Taiwan.