Professor Sir Paul became a Director of Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited on 1 September 2020. He’s also a member of the Governance and Nominations Committee.
Sir Paul was President of City, University of London from 2010 to 2021, having served previously as Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton. A former NASA research scientist and advisor to the European Space Agency (ESA), Sir Paul's research involves the use of satellite sensors to monitor our environment and is focused on climate change.
Sir Paul is Chair of the MS Society, NHS National Joint Registry and NERC Advisory Committee on Scientific Leadership, Professor Emeritus of City, University of London, President of the Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry Society and Patron of The Conversation UK. As immediate past Chair of both the Universities & Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) Board and the national Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB), he obtained a deep understanding of pay and pensions issues. He was Founding Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Conversation UK; a Member of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and its Remuneration Committee (and Chair of its Audit & Risk Assurance Committee); a Member of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Board and its Audit Committees and, until August 2021 was a Member of the London Higher Board and a Member of Universities UK and its Research Policy and Innovation and Growth Policy Committees.
Sir Paul was Knighted in the 2016 New Year Honours for ‘services to higher education’.