About Paul 'theaardvark' Taylor

My name is Paul Taylor, but most people know me as 'theaardvark'. I'm a  Burntwood Town and Lichfield District Councillor for Burntwood, a role I balance with a day job as a Global VAT Senior Manager for an international retailer. It’s an odd mix, I grant you, but the thread connecting them is a fascination with how complex systems work—and how they can be made to work better for people.

The VAT Freak in the Spreadsheets

For my entire career, I've worked in VAT (Value Added Tax). It’s a field that many would find painfully dry, but for me, it’s about solving puzzles. It’s about finding the logic and order within vast, complicated international regulations. This work has taught me the value of precision and given me a deep understanding of finance and organisational structures. It’s less about the numbers themselves and more about what they represent: a system that needs to be navigated correctly.

The Councillor on the Street

My work as a councillor is where I get to apply that same problem-solving mindset, but for my community. I serve on both the Burntwood Town and Lichfield District councils, focusing on making sure our local services work better for all residents. It’s about taking the principles of good governance, the understanding of the mechanics of organisations and the ability to communicate at all levels that I’ve learned professionally and using them to make a tangible difference to the lives of my neighbours. This is the work that feels most immediate and, often, most rewarding.

From Online DJ to Long-COVID

For a long time, my main escape was music. I was an online DJ and streamer, which was a fantastic way to share something I loved and connect with a completely different community. That part of my life was put on hold by long-COVID, which has been a journey in itself. While I miss the creative outlet, the experience taught me a lot about building connections in a digital world. I now spend some of my time pivoting those skills into having fun pretending to be an online pickled onion influencer.

The Personal Side

I'm 53, and my brain is wired with ADHD and ASC1. This gives me a particular way of looking at the world; I tend to see patterns and question assumptions that others might not. I see it as an asset, whether I’m untangling a tax regulation or a piece of council policy.

I also live with depression and I'm a strong believer in being open and talking about it. I feel it's important to do so, in the hope that it empowers others to feel they can talk about their own mental health too.

My style is straightforward—I appreciate dry humour and getting to the point. This website is simply a place to explore some of the ideas that occupy my mind, from local politics to the quirks of everyday life.

Husband and Carer

Beyond my work and council duties, my most important role is as a husband and carer to my wife, MrsVark, (Sha). My wife lives with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), ME/CFS, and Fibromyalgia. This brings its own unique set of challenges, including the stress and mental health issues that come with being a carer. It's a part of my life that has taught me more about resilience and empathy than any other. Together, we run a weblog about our experiences, which you can find at wheelyhappydays.uk.