Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Paul Lee was initially appointed Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board with effect from 1 October 2009, and his appointment was renewed for a further four years from 1 October 2013.
Paul spent his life as a commercial solicitor practising since qualification with the firm that is now Addleshaw Goddard, where he was the Senior Partner until 2010, specialising in commercial and corporate work. He read Law at Clare College Cambridge. On joining the firm of Addleshaw Sons and Latham on his qualification, he became Managing Partner in 1991, Senior Partner of Addleshaw Booth & Co in 1997 and Senior Partner of Addleshaw Goddard in 2003.
In addition to his professional life, he has held a variety of other posts, including as a member of the Board of the CBI and Chairman of the North West Business Leadership Team.
He is currently Chairman of Opera North and was previously, for 17 years, Chairman of the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. He is also Chairman of the Feoffees (Trustees) of Chethams School of Music, and a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Manchester.
He was High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in 2014-15, and he is currently a Trustee of Access Sport which is the principal charity he chose to support during his year as High Sheriff.
This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Offices Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Paul Lee has declared no such political activity.