As Director of Planning and Strategic Projects at Keele University, Paul Hodgkinson leads the planning process, portfolio management, corporate information services, net zero delivery and manages institutionally significant projects and education partnerships.

Prior to joining the Higher Education Sector in 2015 Paul worked for 13 years in local and regional economic regeneration and was pivotal in the delivery of circa £0.5bn of externally funded grant programmes and projects across the Midlands Region supporting building and transport infrastructure, low carbon, employment and skills and business support.   Paul was heavily involved in the design and development of the £250m Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF).

Upon joining Keele Paul co-led the development and implementation of the New Keele Deal comprising £70million of investment by a range of organisations to exploit the potential of Keele University’s world-leading research and facilities.

Paul is an alumnus of the 2022 Entrepreneurial Leaders Programme.