Before founding Paul Butler Associates Ltd. in 1992, Paul worked as a planner for local authorities in Newcastle, Gateshead and Manchester, latterly running the City Centre group. He has extensive public and private sector experience and has led numerous planning, development, regeneration, masterplanning and heritage projects throughout the UK.

Paul is an active member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and a founder trustee of Ancoats Building Preservation Trust (now Heritage Works BPT).