Charlie Mullins OBE before selling his luxury apartment in London. Photo credit: KBA Agency
Charlie Mullins OBE, known as “the richest plumber in the world”, founder and ex-CEO of Pimlico Plumbers in London, has just done his best to become an integral member of the Costa del Sol community.
Born and raised in London, the millionaire former plumber worked his way up from humble beginnings in Elephant and Castle, where there was no choice but to work hard to make a living. His true rags-to-riches story has captured the imagination of millions of Britons. In contrast, others mock him for his opulent lifestyle. Once a Conservative Party donor, he has now lost all hope that the Tories will ever redeem themselves and believes the current Labor government will do even more damage to the UK than its predecessors.
Euro Weekly News was lucky enough to speak to the outspoken Mr Mullins at his new home on the Costa del Sol in Marbella. We discussed his work ethic, his thoughts on British politics and life in Spain.
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Have you already dared to move to Spain?
“I had planned to move here a week after Labor won the election. I will split my time between Marbella and Dubai. I have decided to move all my assets out of the UK but I have been living on and off on the Costa del Sol for 20 years. I have had different houses here. And I'm not going back. “My family still has business interests in the UK so I will be visiting.”
Britain is heading for disaster, says plumber Charlie Mullins
'The [UK] The government is heading for a catastrophe. They promised to tax companies more heavily. They will double inheritance tax and make changes to workers' rights that will drive companies out of business. They will destroy Britain. They are anti-business. They despise wealth creation. It's not just about money. If reform comes in I might go back.'
They fought against Brexit. Has your opinion changed 8 years later?
“Leaving the EU was a bad idea.” Great Britain did not benefit from Brexit at all. They say Labor could try to get the UK back into the EU. I would support that.'
Plumber Charlie Mullins' advice for teenagers
As we know, you left school at a young age to learn plumbing and that was clearly the best decision for you. What advice would you give to young people today with their education?
“I would advise young people to do an apprenticeship.” Take up a trade. You can use a trade anywhere in the world and make good money. As a plumber you can learn as much as any bank manager knows. I'm not sure universities are that useful anymore.
You've always had a lot of drive. What drives you?
“My drive perhaps comes from my father.” He was a factory worker and had a good work ethic. He always got up and went to work. Back when I was growing up in London, not working was considered disrespectful. It was wrong to be unemployed. “Hard work never hurt anyone.”
Do you miss Pimlico Plumbers? Would you ever buy them back?
'NO. I heard they're not doing well these days. “With my family we are launching Wefix London on October 1st, offering craftsmen of the highest quality.”
Who does plumber Charlie Mullins call when he needs to fix a pipe?
Have you had to call a plumber since your stay in Marbella?
“Yes, of course. We had a man called Manolo working for us in London. He had to come back here to Spain and he is doing really well. In every country there are good and bad, but here in Marbella there are some excellent craftsmen. The quality is second to none. You should check out the construction of our new villa in Marbella. I would say the quality in Spain is better than in the UK these days.”
Charlie Mullins further revealed that he hopes to one day obtain dual Spanish and Dubai citizenship and that after 20 years of investing in Marbella, he already feels at home here.
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