Following his grammar school education Paul studied engineering whilst completing his apprenticeship with a mobile equipment manufacturing company leading to a number of years as design engineer for the company's range of hydraulic excavators, and subsequently the post of production engineering manager. This background provided valuable experience the design and manufacture of hydraulically operated mechanical equipment following which he became works manager of a leading hydraulic ram and equipment manufacturer before forming Delstar Engineering Ltd in January 1978. This was at the time of the introduction of modern hydraulics into the performance aspect of theatre with such musicals as Starlight Express, Time, Chess and many opera productions. This led to his significant involvement over many years in the design and manufacture of automated stage sets and theatre equipment worldwide. Paul is a chartered engineer and has been involved with the running of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers eastern area for many years. Typical of this earlier hydraulic experience were the conceptual hydraulic and mechanical design solutions for the phantom of the opera sets and the automated car arm for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.