Paul qualified as a Quantity Surveyor in 1978 after training in Auckland. He worked as a Director of Rawlinsons in Sydney and Adelaide between 1980 and 1993. In 1993 he moved back to Auckland and became a Director of Russell Drysdale and Thomas between 1993 and 2000. In 2000 Paul became a Principal of Davis Langdon New Zealand. His project expertise includes value management and risk management. His market sector includes Local Government, commercial and institutional.