- Group
- Board of Directors
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- Director
Paul joined the Royal Navy in 1976. After 5 years of service, he transferred to Clearance Diver (primarily Underwater Bomb & Mine Disposal). He served on several Mine Hunters and on the Fleet Clearance Diving Team, travelling internationally on short notice, conducting operational tasks.
In 1991 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his expertise, leadership and outstanding professionalism during Operation Granby (Gulf War – Iraq) for supervising Mine Clearance Diving operations. He was then appointed to teach the UK Special Forces (SAS) to dive and, as a result, was selected to serve with the Special Boat Service (SBS) as a Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Pilot & Navigator, operating jointly with US Navy Seals.
Paul took up a Commission as a Naval Officer in 1994 and his last sea job was the Executive Officer of HMS Bangor. His remaining 8 years he was a Project Manager in the procurement of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, Explosive Underwater Disposal & Diving Equipment. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander with over 33 years of service.
During his role as the CEO of Diver’s Gifts & Collectables (Formed 2002), the company was awarded the Prime Contract for the MkV Monument at the Naval Diving & Salvage Training Center, Panama City Beach, FL in 2007. It is now apparently the most visited military monument in the State of Florida.
He joined forces with Tony Sexton in 2018 and they formed Monument Projects Ltd. The company is currently building a Memorial for the National Memorial Arboretum in UK to represent all Military Divers past, present and future.
Paul is a spirited benefactor with a life-long history of raising funds for disasters, scholarships, a special needs school and charities including The Historical Diving Society UK and two Cancer charities FORCE and S.U.R.E. He is always up for a good challenge!
