The Journey

British Military Service — Singapore, Thailand, Germany & the UK

Served in the British Army from 1966 to 1972, with postings to Singapore, Thailand, Germany, and the United Kingdom. This early experience of discipline, leadership, and cross-cultural immersion across diverse communities laid the foundation for a lifetime of work spanning Asia and beyond.

Return to Education & Teacher Training

Returned to civilian life and resumed his education. Certificate in Education from King Alfred's College / University of Southampton (1976), followed by Qualified Teacher Status registered with the General Teaching Council for England (1977) — the launchpad for a career in the classroom and beyond.

Special Education Teacher, United Kingdom

Taught in special education settings in the UK for three years — working with students with learning disabilities and special needs. This deepened his conviction that education must meet every learner where they are.

Humanitarian Work — Southeast Asia (Thai-Cambodian Border)

One of the most formative periods of Paul's life. Worked in refugee education in Southeast Asia from 1982 to 1987 — coordinating education programmes for UNHCR and the TEAR Fund with Cambodian and Hmong displaced persons on the Thai-Cambodian border. This experience forged the belief that education is fundamentally about human dignity and possibility.

The real power of leadership is invisible — felt in the culture we build, the trust we nurture, and the environment where people grow.

Publishing & Education Work, UK

Returned to the UK and worked across publishing and education. External Moderator/Verifier for London Chamber of Commerce & Industry / Pitman Examinations Board (1989–1998). Open Learning materials commended by Professor Derek Rowntree of The Open University as “models of their kind.” Won Open Learning Award for Excellence, British Association for Open Learning (1996 and 1997).

Founded The Learning Business

Founded The Learning Business, a consultancy pioneering open and blended learning for corporate clients. Delivered award-winning training and learning solutions for organisations including Shell, BP, Barclays, HSBC, and many others. Earned BSc (Education Studies & Publishing) — Oxford Brookes University (1994).

Relocated to Hong Kong

Relocated The Learning Business operations to Hong Kong, rebranding as International Skills Development (Asia). Re-engineered Oxford Brookes University's MBA for online delivery (2001). Built a reputation across Asia for innovative learning solutions. Advanced Diploma in Teaching English for Specific Purposes — English Language Centre, London (2003).

Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Academic Innovation & Virtual Worlds

Joined the School of Hotel & Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Pioneered the use of virtual worlds (Second Life) for hospitality education. Created the award-winning “PolyU Virtual Hotel” — a groundbreaking immersive learning environment. Won the Inaugural Teaching & Learning Innovation Award (2009) and Runner-up (2010). Chaired the Hong Kong chapter of SLACTIONS in 2009 — the first global research conference held entirely within a virtual world. Master of Education — University of Southern Queensland (2008). Certified Hospitality Educator — American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (2006).

Vietnam — University Leadership

Director, Institute for International Education, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Vietnam. Established the international programme now flourishing with over 2,000 students.

International Development Consultancy — Asia & Beyond

Independent Consultant and Senior Advisor to the Asian Development Bank, European Union, UNWTO, and Luxembourg Development Cooperation (LuxDev). Projects across Myanmar (six years as Technical Advisor), Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Eastern Caribbean, India, and China. Key achievements: managed €8.5M LuxDev project in Myanmar; coordinated 45+ National Occupational Standards; trained 3,000+ supervisors and managers.

Paul Penfold is a diligent and well-organised consultant who used his experience and skills to implement the project in a new country for LuxDev as well as maximize the human and other resources to achieve the performance indicators of the project to a successful conclusion.

Head of School — Chiang Mai, Thailand

Head of School at British Concordance International School (BCIS), Chiang Mai — grew the school from 34 to over 400 students from 29+ nationalities, managing 90+ staff, offering IGCSE/A-Level and BTEC qualifications.

Brave Generation Academy

Working for Brave Generation Academy to bring alternative education to learners in Thailand, Myanmar and beyond.