Paul's biography
“It was the injustice of racism that first got me involved in politics. While still at school, I joined the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) which campaigned for democracy and human rights for all the people of South Africa. I set up Sheffield AAM which became the UK’s biggest anti-apartheid group and was an active member of the national leadership of the Movement. Campaigning against racism has always been a big part of my life and politics. During the 1980s I was involved in the Sheffield Campaign Against Racism and a member of Sheffield’s Race Equality Council. More recently, I’ve campaigned against the growing threat of the British National Party.
I joined the Labour Party in 1978 because I wanted to fight inequality and injustice in this country. It’s for this reason that I’ve been an active campaigner for Labour ever since. I wanted to change society then to make it fairer and more equal, and I still do today; it’s what motivates me in politics. Since 1993, I’ve been the Chair of Sheffield Labour Party, but will shortly be standing down to devote all of my time to campaign in Sheffield Central. I was a Unison Branch Secretary for several years, am a member of Unite the Union and have always been an active supporter of trade union campaigns for working people. I’m also a member of the Co-operative Party.
In 1994 I joined the Board of Sheffield City Trust and between 1997 and 2008 was its Chair. The Trust is responsible for running all of Sheffield’s major leisure and sports facilities including the City Hall, Pond's Forge, Don Valley Stadium and the Arena. My proudest achievement as Chair was opening the newly refurbished City Hall after the City Trust pulled together £12.5 million investment to save it. I’m delighted that today the City Hall is better used than ever. It’s the pride of the city centre.
Paul helped save the City Hall
My family moved to Sheffield when I was 9 and I’ve lived here for most of my life. Sheffield is my home and the city I love. After studying Theology at St.John’s College in York, and qualifying as a teacher, I returned to the city and have worked at the University of Sheffield ever since. I’m currently the General Manager of the Students’ Union with responsibility for 800 staff and an annual turnover of £11million. I was also a Governor of Sheffield City Polytechnic for many years. My work has made me passionate about encouraging more people to go to university.
I’m married to Linda McAvan, who is a Labour Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber. I have one son, Michael, who works on health policy in London."
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Paul and Linda outside their Sheffield home
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