Paul Bevan is Secretary General of EUROCITIES, the political platform that networks Europe's 140 most important city governments. EUROCITIES was founded in 1986, and now represents some 25% of Europe's citizens through their city mayors.

A city and regional planner by profession, Bevan joined EUROCITIES in November 2008, having been involved in European urban policy since the 1990s. He was previously chief executive of the South East England Regional Assembly, the strategic planning, transport and housing authority for a region of 8m people, the UK's largest. Before that he was deputy chief executive for the city of Brighton & Hove.

Born and raised in London, Bevan has 30 years' experience of local and regional government in the UK and a wealth of expertise in economic development, urban regeneration and public service management. He holds a Masters in Comparative Politics from the University of Sussex and a Diploma in Town Planning from the University of Westminster.