Paul Bogen (United Kingdom)

Paul started his professional career as an actor. Realising he could not act he quickly moved into theatre management working for a South African and then two children’s theatre companies.

In 1985 Paul accidentally found himself as the manager of an experimental Polish mime group, living under martial law in communist Poland. When the authorities would not allow his Polish wife to leave the country, Paul escaped with her back to the UK by impersonating a British Diplomat.

On his return to the UK, Paul then became Manager at The Kings Head Theatre Club in London, producing fringe shows and transferring the more successful ones to the ‘West-End’ stage.

In 1990 he became director of The Junction in Cambridge, opening the first purpose built arts centre for young people in the UK. During his 17 years at The Junction Paul produced two outdoor festivals, two international festivals, the world’s first digital mural and the first drive-in movies in East Anglia. The Junction was a pioneer and innovator in the development of combing new technologies and art. It was one of the first UK arts organisations to have a web site, and from the early 1990’s experimented in, and developed a range of innovative digital art projects. The Junction was re-developed in 2005 through a £7.5 million building project that included the construction of a new seated performance space.

From 1999 to 2007 Paul was President of Trans Europe Halles. He is currently a board member of two theatre companies and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Paul was appointed as Managing Director of Opportunity Links in April 2007, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers information provision to parents and provides technical know-how and strategic services to central and local government.