Distinguished alumni

Paul was appointed Marketing Director in 1999 and in 2003 became Commercial Director with responsibility for all of Toyota’s commercial operations in the UK – sales, marketing, aftersales and logistics – before moving to Kia.

He was appointed Managing Director of Kia Motors UK from 2007 and implemented a highly successful turnaround strategy until he moved to Frankfurt in 2009 to take up the role of Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe. During his time at Kia Motors Europe, Paul led the brand through a period of significant expansion and the launch of the innovative and still industry leading seven year warranty.

In 2012 he returned as President and CEO of Kia Motors UK and Ireland – the first non-Korean president of any subsidiary in Europe. Paul has since led Kia’s Vision 100 growth strategy which has seen annual sales increasing from just 29,000 cars in 2007 to over 77,500 in 2014, and from being a little-known budget to being the seventh largest mainstream car brand in the UK.

In 2011 Paul was named European Executive of the Year by Automotive News Europe and in 2013 was awarded the Motor Trader Outstanding Achievement Award. Kia Motors UK has also recently been recognised as Kia Motor Corporation’s ‘Market of the Year’ for 2014.

Paul is married to Julia and they live in Dorking, Surrey with their two children Georgie and Jonathan (who are his pride and joy!).

At Loughborough University he was first Treasurer and then Chairman of Towers hall, yet successfully navigated his way through his degree in Banking and Finance whist playing far too much sport and enjoying hall life to the full!

Why did you choose to study Banking and Finance at Loughborough University?

I was sponsored by Midland Bank to complete this degree; the ability to combine practical work experience with a major high street bank (and get paid!) with an interesting, varied course seemed like a good option.

How has Loughborough University inspired and helped you to progress in your career?

I spent a fantastic three years with like-minded people enjoying everything Loughborough had to offer, and this set me up for my career in automotive. I learnt how to interact with people from diverse backgrounds with different outlooks.

How did your extracurricular activities impact upon your Loughborough experience?

Getting my degree was only about half of what I learnt at Loughborough. The rest was learnt through the broadest range of experiences possible – from a parachute jump in fresher’s week to trying my hand at every sport imaginable, purple nasty, Rag week, and learning to lead and inspire as Towers hall Chairman! I have so many memorable experiences.

I lived in Towers hall for all three years at Loughborough because I liked the people and the food, and Towers became the centre of my University life. As a ‘banker’ I became hall Treasurer in my second year, and in my final year I became hall Chairman. I learnt a lot about leading teams and getting others to participate.

Can you tell us more about your earlier career working within the motor industry; how did your degree map onto this area of work?

My background in finance and financial management has been invaluable (the Kia finance men can’t run rings round me!) but towards the end of my degree I realised that sales and marketing was the career discipline I wanted to follow. So with my Loughborough degree (much sought after even in 1988) I joined the graduate development programme at Ford Motor Company and the rest as they say is history!

As President and CEO of Kia Motors UK and Ireland, what are your main responsibilities? How do these differ from your role as COO Kia Motors Europe?

As CEO of Kia Motors UK and Ireland I am responsible for the sales of new Kia cars, parts and accessories, and the delivery of an outstanding experience for our customers. I am responsible for delivering a financial return for our shareholders in Korea and an appropriate profit for our 190 franchised dealers. 

As COO for Europe (2009-2012) I looked after the Kia operations in 27 markets, ensuring that their sales performance was sustainable and always above plan. 

What have been the highlights and key achievements of your career so far?

Leading a three-fold increase in Kia’s business over the past 10 years, and being recognised as Autocar’s Outstanding UK Leader of 2017.

How did it feel to be recognised with a range of accolades for your work?

Of course it’s great to be recognised for success, but most of the awards we have won are down to the team. Our business is all about people, and it is the work of all of our people that has been recognised. 

What does the future hold for you?

Who knows! I am happy doing what I’m doing right now; working with a great group of people, achieving record business results, and at the same time watching our two children grow and prosper – maybe one day they will go to Loughborough too.