The Patriarch of arguably the most famous bridge family in the world, Paul was born in Peshawar in 1941. With the death of his father, killed in action in a fighter plane over Singapore Straights, he returned to England. Not wanting to go into the business world after University, Paul took up golf and bridge and tried to earn a living from both of them.

Unable to last the pace of early mornings on the golf course, late nights at the table and a couple of hours recovering in Turkish baths, Paul opted to concentrate on bridge.

He soon formed a partnership with Martin Hoffman. They traveled round Europe in the Phillip Morris tournaments, the equivalent of the European pairs, winning Gold and Bronze in successive years. Later Paul, partnering Tony Waterlow, won the silver in the European Pairs in Rome.

Paul qualified for the Bermuda Bowl in 1980, partnering John Collings, and playing one of the worst systems ever invented the Walpurgis Club, which was followed by an equally poor replacement, the Walpurgis Diamond. Booked by Phillip Morris to play with Giorgio Belladonna, Paul for several years toured the North African Circuit, together with teammates, Martin and Zia.

Probably the creator of the modern European Professional, Paul traveled the world and has won more tournaments in different countries than anyone else.

Paul married Olivia and is the father of Jason and Justin. Justin's wife Barbara, a world champion representing Germany, has added medals to the trophy cabinet. A very close family Jason was asked what his relationship with his father had been throughout his life. He summed it up by saying “When I was a child I saw very little of him because he was always traveling; now I see him almost every day.”

As well as fulfilling his playing commitments Paul has been instrumental in creating many well known tournaments, such as the Nat-West Trophy, The Molex, The Commonwealth Bridge Championships and the Warren Buffett Cup, often working in conjunction with Manchester Bridge Club owner, Jeff Morris.

Hobbies include Genealogy, tracing his ancestry back to the 10th century and having over 4000 names on the family tree, Soca, Calypso music, dancing, the theatre and bridge politics. Together with the rest of his family their exploration of food and wines is well known.

A member of Staffs and Shropshire and supporting their events Paul also plays in three different leagues.

In 2009, Paul partnering Ross Harper, won the Gold Medal in the Senior Bermuda Bowl together with the English team. As he remarked, “I was the first member of the family to play bridge and the last to win a world title”. More details can be seen here.

Read Paul's, A day in the life of...

Last updated: October 2010