Senior Creative and Design Leader with nearly 30 years’ experience helping organisations navigate change through design, brand, innovation, and strategic communication. I specialise in building high-performing teams, developing creative cultures, and translating complex challenges into clear, compelling, and commercially effective solutions. My career spans leadership roles across tech, automotive, mobility, higher education, publishing, and consultancy, combining creative excellence with systems thinking, organisational development, and future-focused strategy. Passionate about innovation, transformation, and meaningful impact, I work at the intersection of creativity, technology, and human-centred thinking to help organisations evolve, communicate, and grow.

Paul Heys

Senior Creative and Design Leader with nearly 30 years’ experience helping organisations navigate change through design, brand, innovation, and strategic communication. I specialise in building high-performing teams, developing creative cultures, and translating complex challenges into clear, compelling, and commercially effective solutions. My career spans leadership roles across tech, automotive, mobility, higher education, publishing, and consultancy, combining creative excellence with systems thinking, organisational development, and future-focused strategy. Passionate about innovation, transformation, and meaningful impact, I work at the intersection of creativity, technology, and human-centred thinking to help organisations evolve, communicate, and grow.

Available to hire

Senior Creative and Design Leader with nearly 30 years’ experience helping organisations navigate change through design, brand, innovation, and strategic communication. I specialise in building high-performing teams, developing creative cultures, and translating complex challenges into clear, compelling, and commercially effective solutions.

My career spans leadership roles across tech, automotive, mobility, higher education, publishing, and consultancy, combining creative excellence with systems thinking, organisational development, and future-focused strategy.

Passionate about innovation, transformation, and meaningful impact, I work at the intersection of creativity, technology, and human-centred thinking to help organisations evolve, communicate, and grow.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Designer & Design Consultant at Paul Heys ltd
June 1, 2016 - Present
Freelance senior designer and design consultant delivering high-impact visual design for complex programmes and international brands.
Design Director at The SUPERULTRARARE ®
June 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025
Design Director responsible for creative strategy and direction.
VP of Visual Design (Head of Design) at Vital Auto
November 1, 2021 - October 31, 2024
Head of design leading visual design strategy and execution.
Designer, Author, Manager at Neubau
June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2016
Designer, author and manager contributing to Neubau Berlin projects; remote/hybrid.
School Employability Manager (Art & Design) at Nottingham Trent University
September 1, 2019 - November 1, 2021
Academic role focusing on employability development for Art & Design students.
Academic Director, Employability at Sheffield Hallam University
January 1, 2018 - October 1, 2019
Academic leadership role overseeing employability initiatives within Art & Design.
Principal Lecturer, Employability at Sheffield Hallam University
December 1, 2014 - January 1, 2018
Lead lecturer focusing on employability in BA(Hons) Graphic Design.
Senior Lecturer / Course Leader, BA(Hons) Graphic Design at University of Huddersfield
November 1, 2005 - October 1, 2014
Senior lecturer and course leader for BA(Hons) Graphic Design.
Principal Lecturer, Employability at University of Huddersfield
December 1, 2014 - January 1, 2018
Principal lecturer in employability for BA(Hons) Graphic Design.

Education

MA Graphic Design (Distinction) at University of the Arts London (LCC)
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2012
BA(Hons) Fine Art (2:2) at University of Sunderland
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1998
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale
January 11, 2030 - June 22, 2026
A-Levels, Art & Design at Whitefield Art College / Bury College, Manchester
January 11, 2030 - June 22, 2026
BTEC Extended Diploma - Art & Design Practice at Whitefield Art College / Bury College, Manchester
January 11, 2030 - June 22, 2026
BTEC First Diploma - Art & Design at Whitefield Art College / Bury College, Manchester
January 11, 2030 - June 22, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Other