Paul Cataford

Executive Director

Paul is passionate about public service and believes in the power of community. As Executive Director of Business Link, he is dedicated to promoting and developing entrepreneurship and small business in Alberta.

His eclectic career covers a 15-year stint on Bay Street as a corporate banker and a venture capital and private equity investor, 5 years leading a technology transfer office and creating an early-stage company creation incubator at the University of Calgary, and a 11 year spell co-founding and leading a medical device product development and manufacturing company in Calgary. Prior to joining Business Link, Paul served as Interim President and CEO of a public-listed medical device company, where he also currently serves as Board Chairman. In addition to all this, Paul has also been an independent corporate director on the boards of directors of over 35 companies and organizations for more than 25 years, including public-listed (NASDAQ, TSX, TSVX) companies, private companies, a crown corporation, and several not-for profits and associations.

Paul was born and raised in Toronto. He completed his undergraduate degree in engineering at Queen’s University, followed by his MBA in finance and strategy at Schulich School of Business. Paul also holds the ICD.D designation from Rotman School of Management, specializing in corporate governance. Paul moved to Calgary in 2004 to be closer to family and the Rocky Mountains, where he enjoys hiking, mountain and road biking, downhill and cross-country skiing, golf, canoeing & (most recently) building things out of wood.