Paul Lister

Paul Lister is a Certified Scrum Trainer with the Scrum Alliance, one of only around 200 worldwide, and holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Cambridge University. Beginning his career as a physicist, Paul brought the same curiosity, analytical thinking, and problem-solving mindset into the fintech industry, where he spent over two decades as a software developer and manager. His journey through an Agile transformation reshaped his approach to work, leading him to become a Scrum Master, then an Agile Coach, and now a trainer who helps others unlock the full potential of Agility.

Paul’s unique blend of scientific rigour and practical industry experience enables him to bridge the gap between traditional workflows like Waterfall and modern Agile practices. He has a deep understanding of the challenges teams face and works to help them minimise risk, improve delivery, and achieve meaningful outcomes. Having co-trained with some of the world’s leading Agile coaches, Paul continues to refine his craft while sharing his knowledge with others through engaging, high-impact certification courses.

Outside of work, Paul applies Agile thinking to his personal passions — writing novels and short stories, producing and directing short films, and building creative communities. He is the founder of the Surrey & Sussex Agile Meetup, a thriving forum for professionals to connect, share ideas, and explore new ways of working. Paul is an enthusiastic conference speaker and collaborator, always ready to talk about Agile, creativity, or even the latest in film and literature.

Let’s make work better together.