Meet Paul Bullivant, Chair of Photo Oxford

We are pleased to introduce the individuals behind Photo Oxford and offer you insight into the purpose and goals of Photo Oxford. Our Chairman, Paul Bullivant, provides expert leadership to the board, overseeing governance and strategic direction to ensure the its effectiveness.

Photo and loan of the hat: the Chief of the Dorze tribe, Southern Ethiopia.

Introduce yourself and your background?
I am Paul Bullivant, the current Chair of Photo Oxford.
Originally from Birmingham, I lived and worked in Andalusia for six years before settling in Bristol, where I lived for over 40 years, working as an architect in the community sector and later as a chief executive of a social housing organisation. My career change into photography started in 2000, and I gained an MA in documentary photography at the University of Wales, Newport. I have worked as a photographer undertaking my own projects on wide-ranging subjects across the UK, as well as in more exotic lands, I then moved to Oxford in 2021.

When and why did you join Photo Oxford as a Trustee?
I was appointed first as a trustee in 2022, then as Chair in May 2023. I had attendedand enjoyed the previous festivals and so I wanted to be involved in a very creative and exciting adventure.
I was a newcomer to Oxford so I wanted to get to meet new people and to make new friends in the photography world.

What do you find most rewarding about your role as a trustee?
It is very rewarding to work with our Director Katy Barron and with a great team of trustees and volunteers, to make the festival happen. Of course, there are always challenges and obstacles along the way – funding being the most critical - but working together, we can overcome these, as we did in 2025 and will do again in 2027.

What would you say to anyone who wants to become a Trustee?
If you have enthusiasm and an interest in photography and relevant skills, then come and join the team. The application and appointment process is relatively informal and usually starts with a conversation with me and Director Katy Barron. If you are interested, then please contact me directly paul.f.bullivant@gmail.com. The coffee is always on me!

What are you looking forward to over the next year, leading up to the next festival?
Obviously, festival planning for October 2027 is essential over the coming year and becomes more intense as it approaches. Fundraising is critical, as without the necessary funds, the festival as we conceive it cannot take place. Recently, Photo Oxford’s activity has expanded into outreach work through which we aim to work with people and communities who might not otherwise encounter photography. We have worked with a wide range of individuals and community groups providing equipment as well as guidance and tuition – and most importantly, encouragement – to help people express themselves through the medium of photography. This is an aspect of our work that I hope to see developed further in the coming year.