Paul Drechsler

Biography

"Paul Drechsler graduated in Engineering from the University of Dublin, Trinity College. He is Chairman Designate at Bibby Line Group and Non-executive Director of Essentra Plc, Chairman of the national Skills Funding Agency Advisory Board, a board member of the CBI and of Business in the Community, and Chairman of BitC’s Education Leadership Team and a member of the Trinity College Dublin Business School Advisory Board. Paul was appointed Chief Executive of Wates Group in September 2004 and was Chairman and Chief Executive from 2006 until 2013. His tenure saw Wates win the Best UK Family Business Awards by J.P. Morgan and Coutts banks (2007) and BitC Company of the Year (2011), as well as Contractor and Employer of the Year at the Construction News Awards (2011). In 2009 Paul was named ‘KPMG Chief Executive of the Year’ for Building Magazine and Institute of Directors ‘Director of the Year’ (London and South). In 2011 he was awarded a place on Construction News’ Leaders Roll of Honour and named PwC Private Company Chief Executive of the Year. Prior to joining Wates, Paul spent 24 years with ICI PLC, holding senior positions and living in the UK, Brazil, the USA and the Netherlands, and was Main Board Director from 1998 to 2003. He was Chairman of the ICI Group Pension fund and a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development."

Affiliations

• Chair, Teach First