High flyer leaves Wales for Iowa

Paul Jennings has moved to the States to lead the Science Center of Iowa

Newport born businessman Paul Jennings is bidding farewell to Wales and is off to America.

He's landed the high profile role of president and chief executive of Iowa's Science Center.

Paul's used to a challenge having turned around the fortunes of an ailing millennium science centre in Dundee.

He's also the first person to graduate from the University of Wales Institute of Cardiff with a professional doctorate in business administration.

Paul has previously worked for UWIC creating an events management course.

Born in Newport and schooled in Cwmcarn, Paul has started a five year post as the new leader for the Science Centre of Iowa.

He has relocated to the States with his wife and two children to take on the challenge of heading up one of the oldest science centres in America which has moved to a new $62m location in the Iowan capital Des Moines.

The centre is designed to promote public interest and engagement in all things scientific. It aims to promote scientific issues and science education in a fun, accessible way that will appeal to adults and children alike.

Paul returned from the States to attend his graduation ceremony and is the first person on the new Professional Doctorate in Business Administration course to achieve his DBA.

Prior to moving to America, Paul was chief executive of the Sensation Dundee science centre in Scotland.

Within a year he managed to turn around the failing attraction, securing a full recovery and growing its performance year on year.

Paul says of his move to Iowa: "I have plenty to learn about the US and operating a large science centre which receives 400,000 visits a year, but I am enjoying the early challenges of the post."