Paul Lester is Chairman of the FTSE 250 Companies Essentra and McCarthy and Stone, as well as the FTSE 350 Company Forterra.

Paul is also Chairman of Signia, the private investment business; and the private equity backed businesses Knight Square and Algeco.

Paul has been a member of the UK Government Major Projects Review Group since 2005.

Previously from 2002 to 2010 he was Chief Executive of VT Group plc, the support services company.

Paul also held the position of Group Managing Director for Balfour Beatty plc. from 1997 to 2002, and was Chief Executive of Graseby plc from 1990 to 1997 following senior management positions at Schlumberger and the Dowty Group plc.

Paul was Non-Executive Director of Invensys, the FTSE 100 company and has also previously served as President of the Society of Maritime Industries, the BSA and the EEF.

Paul is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws.  Paul was awarded a CBE in 2007.

Paul is a life time West Bromwich Albion Supporter.