A LEADER with a wealth of international experience in tackling poverty and supporting vulnerable people is returning to the North East as a charity’s new chief executive.
Paul McGinnety is taking over as CEO of the North East Autism Society (NEAS) when John Phillipson retires from the role after a career in social services spanning more than 50 years.
Paul, who was born in North Shields and raised in Durham City, is moving back to his home region from Jersey, where his varied career led to him becoming Director of Local Services.
“The lure of moving back to the North East, coupled with the chance to carry on the amazing work of the North East Autism Society, was too good to resist,” said the father-of-two.
“I was happily settled in Jersey but this seems the right opportunity at the right time. I’ve seen the phenomenal difference NEAS has made, how its impact has grown under John’s leadership, and my aim is to build on those strong foundations.”
Paul is a former professional ice hockey player, who was part of the Durham Wasps team that won a historic ‘Grand Slam’ of national titles in 1991 and 1992.
After studying social policy and sociology at Durham University, he started his career as a family support worker for North Tyneside Council, supporting families of children at risk of going into care.
He then supported vulnerable young people by working in the Youth Offending Service at local authorities in North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
In 2008, he joined Durham County Council, becoming strategic commissioning manager in Children’s Services, a role which included working closely with NEAS in providing short breaks for families of autistic youngsters.
Six purpose-built short-break lodges, specially designed to accommodate the sensory and physical needs of neurodivergent and autistic adults, were opened by NEAS at New Warlands Farm, near Burnhope, in 2013, with Paul helping to establish the first two.
He also worked alongside John Phillipson in a strategic partnership that enabled NEAS to open the North East Centre for Autism at Aycliffe.
Between 2013 and 2018, Paul’s career took on an international dimension when he became Assistant Chief Secretary, focusing on tacking poverty and safeguarding on the remote island of Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.
From there, Paul moved to Jersey, where he rose to become Director of Local Services, with duties that included overseeing care homes during the pandemic, co-ordinating charities, and leading on homelessness and disability.
He introduced social prescribing and was the Jersey government’s lead on the humanitarian response to major incidents, including a 2022 gas explosion in a block of flats that killed 10 people.
Paul also established Jersey’s International Culture Centre to welcome migrant workers who are crucial to the island’s economy.
Now, he has returned to his native North East to become the new CEO of NEAS, and will be joined with wife Lindsay, an art teacher, and their two teenage children.
“It’s wonderful to be part of an organisation that puts people at the centre of everything it does, whether it’s service-users or colleagues who do an outstanding job on a daily basis,” he said.
“I want to listen to children, parents, and staff to see where we need to go next in developing our services. I’m passionate about employment opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent people and building on the drive around autism acceptance.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be working with an amazing group of people because it’s a collective effort and everyone has a part to play.”
Outgoing CEO, John Phillipson, said: “I’m delighted to be handing over to someone who is not only extremely well qualified but a lovely person too. He’s the perfect fit I have no doubt he’ll do a brilliant job.”
John will continue with NEAS as a consultant until the completion later this year of a £4.9m project to turn New Warlands Farm into a visitor attraction and employment hub for autistic people.
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