Paul is married to Vicki and has three daughters: Olivia, Eleanor and Amelia.

- we hope you like his special video for XpatLoop here.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in late July to spend the whole of August and early September at the University of Pecs improving my Hungarian.  It was a wonderful experience (the fantastic weather helped!) and the teachers and the course were excellent.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
In so many places – India, Azerbaijan, Thailand, Poland, the United Arab Emirates (both Abu Dhabi and Dubai) and Russia.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Not so much a surprise but I was taken aback by the beauty of the country and the hospitality of the people.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do? 
As well as the obvious sights – the Vár, Fishermen’s Bastion, the Parliament, I’d take them on the cog railway to Széchenyi-hegy and walk around the countryside there.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
It’s hard to focus on any one dish, but anything with paprika – I have a liking for spicy dishes.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Cheese.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
‘Meglátjuk’ – we’ll see – it captures so much about the Hungarians.

8. What do you miss most from home?
Friends and family – but we are so close they can always visit (though it is difficult now because of the pandemic).

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Professional footballer but sadly I had no talent so had to settle for being a diplomat.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Prime Minister anywhere.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
New Zealand – my wife, Vicki, is a proud New Zealander and we try to visit as often as we can.  We went in March, as we thought it might be some time before we went again once I started as Ambassador in Hungary.  While there we got caught up in the pandemic and were stranded for a short while but that’s another story.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Somewhere nearby. There are so many places to go to in Hungary and around Hungary.

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Chocolate.

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Band – a toss-up between Joy Division and the Cure but I really loved (and still do) David Bowie’s  music. Film – Apocalypse Now.  I watched it again recently – it just gets better with age.

15. Red wine or white?
Both – it depends on the occasion and the food.

16. Book or movie?
I love watching films but books every time.

17. Morning person or night person?
Night.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Diversity – not just visible diversity but diversity of background and especially thought.  Groupthink needs to be challenged in any organisation.

19. Buda or Pest side? 
I haven’t been here long enough to come to a firm conclusion.  I’ve a lot more exploring to do.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference" - Winston Churchill.