From Paulipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can read but only Paul can edit
Paul Arthur Lancaster (born 29 June 1982) is a British accountant, lapsed computer scientist and self-appointed curator of this website.[1] He is best known for being Group Finance Director of Galaxy Construction Solutions, a rapidly growing construction products distributor and manufacturer. Outside of work he is known to make everything he does into a competition.[2] A lover of sports, he'll remind you he used to play a lot in his twenties but now mainly watches and uses games as a competitive outlet. A father of two, Paul lives in Sheffield with his partner Frances and their children Miles and Ada.
Lancaster grew up in Yarm-on-Tees in North Yorkshire. A son to Arthur, former landlord of the New Cross Keys in Yarm High Street and Carol, a qualified accountant in industry. Paul's hobbies in early life centred around computing, football and alternative music.
At age 11 he moved to Ingleby Barwick just prior to starting senior school and spent most of his teen years hiding in farms in Hilton and trying to get a better CB radio signal.
Paul thinks of himself as an 'internet trailblazer'. He set up web sites and communities online back in the earliest days of the Internet in 1993. Sources close to the subject confirm he has “strong opinions about IRC networks.”[3]
Lancaster looked to develop his IT skills to have a career in computing. This conflicted with his desire to stay and live and work in Teesside where career opportunities were limited in this field. Instead, he followed his mother's footsteps and started a career in accounting. He was often told that the person leading the IT department is often an accountant, as usually it comes down to funding decisions.
After his first two roles Paul realised that even his accounting career was limited by staying in Teesside. He made a short move to Harrogate to join a US-listed company, Covance.
Covance allowed Paul to focus on the technical and systems side of accounting. Liaising between IT and accounting teams, he was responsible for global training and several financial process improvements. His role was destined to relocate to New Jersey, but due to confusion within the company's immigration department, he had to continue to work remotely from the UK.
Eventually the international trips started to take their toll, Lancaster returned to a UK company, SIG plc. It was here that he met many of the colleagues who he now works with at Galaxy. SIG plc was a dark period in Paul's life and employment as he witnessed a company struggling to restructure, working for seven Finance Director's in just over three years.
A small competitor to SIG, Galaxy, offered Paul his first FD role in 2020. A role which allowed him to finally take on IT responsibilities fully. Galaxy has grown from a single business trading £39m revenue in 2020, to three businesses and £155m in 2025.
Galaxy transitioned to an employee-owned trust in 2022 following an exciting period where Paul and the management team forged a plan to grow the company and maintain legacy following the exit of some of its original shareholders.
His interests are documented on the front page of this very website and are said to include gaming of all varieties and of variable competitiveness. He welcomes newcomers to both, and promises that he is a not a sore loser or unbearable try-hard.
He is a supporter of Middlesbrough Football Club. A season ticket holder most seasons between 1988 and 2014, Paul was present at the League Cup Final in 1997 and 2004 and the UEFA Cup Final in 2006. Now living in Sheffield, he still aims to attend a Middlesbrough game each season but often now watches Sheffield Wednesday whom his son supports. Paul's favourite all time footballer is Robbie Mustoe.
Paul has always loved music and comedy. A lover of indie music in his teens, he still prefers to listen to look forward and listen to new music. His favourite band in recent years is Architects and he never misses the latest Stewart Lee show.
Paul lives in Sheffield with is partner Frances and children Miles and Ada. Paul met Frances in 2014 whilst living in Harrogate. He moved to Sheffield shortly after and has lived happily there since.
Shortly after graduating from University, Paul was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Whilst this has largely not impacted his day to day life, he does not drink any alcoholic or caffeinated products which cause flare ups.
Paul's been lucky to have responded well to treatment and the condition stayed in remission from 2003 through 2024. Following a month in hospital in late 2025, he is now on a new treatment regime which looks to have everything back under control.
Lancaster is a noted believer that a sport is only a sport if one competitor can tactically impact their opponents decisions.[4] An argument started at work in 2012 aimed to explain that Darts is just a game, remains ongoing.
1. Lancaster, P. “Trust me.” 2. Everyone who knows him. 3. A friend, over dinner. 4. Him, repeatedly.