Paul Orders is Chief Executive of Cardiff Council, taking up the post in December 2013. He has responsibility for the officer leadership of 15,000 staff and strategic management of council services in the Capital City of Wales. His focus has been on securing a sustained improvement in the performance of council services, particularly schools and social services; working to secure and negotiate the delivery of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal; and helping to drive the ongoing regeneration of the Capital City of Wales. Previously, Paul was Chief Executive of Dunedin City Council, in New Zealand, where he led council management and staff through a period of change, focusing on financial management, the delivery and performance of council services, organisational development, and city development. Paul comes from Maesteg and attended Archbishop McGrath Comprehensive School, in Tondu. He is a graduate of the Universities of Cardiff, London and Cambridge, where he obtained a doctorate in history, and is an Honorary Visiting Professor at the School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University. Paul is also a director of Millennium Stadium plc., Clerk to the Lord Lieutenancy of South Glamorgan, and a governor of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg. He is married with three children and enjoys rugby, football and cricket in his spare time.