Cognatum Estates appointed a new board member, Geoff Paul, in December. Geoff is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, with a wealth of financial experience, having been Finance Director and Company Secretary for Alimak Hek and before that Financial Controller for Eurotube Limited. He was also a member of Northamptonshire Special Constabulary for 30 years and served as Chief Commandant from 1995 until his retirement in 2003. He then served as a magistrate on Wellingborough Bench until 2017.

In addition to his role on the Cognatum Board, Geoff offers his time to a number of worthy local causes. His qualification as a Level 5 Association Football Referee allows him to act as an assessor, advising aspiring referees; he helps in his local primary school by listening to children read; and he is a volunteer lock keeper with the Canal and River Trust.