Dr Paul Grimes has diverse public sector experience spanning senior appointments across federal, state and territory governments. In addition to serving as Chair of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council, he is currently Chair of the New South Wales Net Zero Commission and a member of the Commonwealth Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee.

Dr Grimes has previously held senior roles in the Australian, New South Wales, South Australian, Victorian and Australian Capital Territory public services. Most recently, Dr Grimes was Secretary of the NSW Treasury, incorporating the Office of Energy and Climate Change, following an appointment as Coordinator General, Environment, Energy and Science.

Before joining the NSW Government, Dr Grimes was Victorian Public Sector Commissioner.

In the Australian Government, Dr Grimes served as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture; Secretary of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities; and Associate Secretary (Domestic Policy) in the Department of the Prime Minster and Cabinet. Prior to this, he held a number of senior roles in the Treasury and Finance Departments of the Australian, South Australian and ACT Governments.

Dr Grimes holds a PhD in economics from the Australian National University.