A BEGELLY man, who spent more than a decade working abroad has decided to return to his Welsh roots and the very company that kickstarted his career in tourism, Oakwood theme park.

Paul Stone, 48, has been appointed as business relationship manager, 26 years after first working at the park in his early twenties.

The father-of-one spent two summer seasons as a ride supervisor back in the early 1990s, and after an 11-year stint working abroad, could not pass up the opportunity to return to where it all started.

Paul is now helping grow Oakwood’s relationship with local partners and promote the investments made to the attraction in recent years.

He has spent more than 30 years in sales and customer service positions, including a regional sales manager role at an education insurance firm, as well as seven years at an independent publisher, where he was instrumental in leading the company to a £1.4m turnover.

Paul, now living in Carmarthen, said: “Having lived abroad for over 10 years, I was really beginning to miss Wales and decided to make the move back. After seeing the role at Oakwood advertised, I knew it was the job for me.

“Oakwood holds so many fond memories for me. I loved working at the park when I was younger and combined with my passion for sales, I couldn’t wait to return and help the park to grow. Coming back after so many years was completely surreal but it’s good to be home and fantastic to see that stalwarts of the Pembrokeshire tourism industry, like Oakwood, remain.”

Sue Elaiho, director at Oakwood Theme Park, said: “It’s great to welcome him back after all of these years and we have no doubt that his appointment will help to support our ambitious growth plans for the years to come.”