Paul studied at the Royal College of Music to Masters level and at the University of California, Los Angeles. He then returned to the Royal College where he completed his Doctorate. He has appeared as a soloist in the United Kingdom, Europe and North America; has been broadcast on Radio 3 and Radio 4 and has appeared on soundtracks including broadcasts on BBC 2, Channel 4 and the Discovery Channel. Concerti include Heinz Holliger, 'Siebengesang', Lutoslawski, Double Concerto (including performances with the composer), Strauss and Mozart. Most recently, he performed Gary Carpenter's 'Doubles' with Linda Merrick and the Nottingham Symphonic Winds and Edwin Roxburgh's 'An Elegy for Ur' at the RNCM.

He is the oboist with the contemporary chamber ensemble Sounds Positive, with whom he has given over sixty premieres at venues including the Royal Opera House, St. John's Smith Square and the Colourscape Festival; with composers such as Stephen Montague, Simon Bainbridge and Judith Weir. He also performs with rarescale across the UK, with whom he has premiered over thirty works. He continues to commission new work through his collaboration with leading composers and contemporary ensembles. His solo CD New Ground, features seven world premiere recordings and was rated 'excellent' by BBC Music Magazine. This was followed by a disc of music by Edwin Roxburgh, Antares. This includes a piece written for Paul by the composer, and also contains two ensemble pieces which feature RNCM musicians, conducted by the composer. More recently, he recorded Gary Carpenter’s Double Concerto 'Doubles' with Linda Merrick and the RNCM Wind Orchestra conducted by Clark Rundell.

He has given classes and adjudicated at the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the National Youth of Orchestra of Great Britain, Chetham’s School of Music, Uppingham School and the Park Lane Group, across Europe, at four conservatoires in China, and in Russia; and has been a jury member of BBC Young Musician, Yamaha YMFE Scholarships and the British Composer Awards.

He is also an active composer. Current projects include a series of contemporary oboe etudes, a piece for Sounds Positive; and he has recently completed a trio for rarescale, a trio for the RNCM 40th anniversary celebrations and a Concerto for bass flute, doubling alto flute, C flute and piccolo for Karin de Fleyt, flautist with the Stockhausen Estate.

For eight years, prior to his current position of Head of Wind Brass & Percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music, he was Head of Faculty at Trinity College of Music and a Council member of the Society for the Promotion of New Music.