Paul's passion for the forestry industry stemmed from the large-scale expansions experienced in the 1970s and 80s. "Working on big, heavy expansion projects in mill engineering roles means every day was new and exciting," he says. "It was a huge learning curve for me, and that understanding has placed me in good stead for my role today."
His specific roles here included mill engineering design and project management with Carter Oji Kokusaku Pan Pacific in Napier and Tasman Pulp and Paper in Kawerau – both in New Zealand's North Island. Once the Tasman Mill's engineering was outsourced, Paul joined Beca AMEC in 1993 when they were successful in winning Tasman's consulting work.
Since then, Paul's role with Beca AMEC has evolved from a project focus to include high-level strategy, management and client interface. He currently manages the forest industries market segment in New Zealand, which includes large pulp and paper processing mills as well as wood processing in sawmills, MDF plants and plywood plants.
Paul recalls the 1990s as a key time for developing his career, as it was a time of new horizons for not only Beca AMEC but for himself. "We worked on very large projects, for which I was both the client's and Beca AMEC's project manager. Even to this day that is quite unusual."
It was this kind of support and project exposure that helped Paul to get ahead in a company where people and their development is a key focus. "Beca AMEC has a philosophy of giving its employees every opportunity to succeed, but it's up to the individual to make the most of those opportunities."