Charlie Mullins: From School Dropout to Multimillionaire

The name Pimlico Plumbers is hard to miss across London, but behind the vans is founder Charlie Mullins, who left school at 15 and built a plumbing empire from a basement. In 2021, he sold a 90% stake for an estimated £125 million to £145 million, cementing a classic rags-to-riches journey.

Full Name: Sidney Charles Mullins ·
Born: 28 October 1952 ·
Age: 70 (as of 2022) ·
Occupation: Businessman, entrepreneur ·
Known for: Founder of Pimlico Plumbers ·
Net Worth: Multimillionaire

Six key facts about Charlie Mullins, one pattern: every milestone flows from a single decision at age 15.

How did Charlie Mullins get rich?

Early life and leaving school at 15

• Charlie Mullins grew up on a council estate in London; his father worked in a factory and his mother was a cleaner (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• He left school at 15 with no formal qualifications (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• By age 9 he was already helping a local plumber, and he skipped school frequently to learn the trade (LADbible (UK entertainment site))

Building Pimlico Plumbers

• In 1979, at age 27, Mullins founded Pimlico Plumbers from a basement in Pimlico (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• By 2013 the firm was earning £19 million a year and carrying out around 9% of all plumbing work in London (LADbible (UK entertainment site))
• At the time of the sale, Pimlico Plumbers employed over 400 people and had annual revenues of about $70 million (Wikipedia)

The sale and current net worth

• In September 2021, Mullins sold a 90% shareholding in Pimlico Plumbers to US firm Neighborly (Wikipedia)
• The transaction was valued at between £125 million and £145 million (LADbible (UK entertainment site))
• Spear’s Magazine estimates Mullins’ personal net worth at £70 million (Spear’s Magazine (wealth publication))

How many times has Charlie Mullins been married?

First marriage

• Mullins has been married at least twice, though details about his first marriage remain sparse (Wikipedia)
• His first marriage produced children, but his ex-wife has largely stayed out of the public eye.

Second marriage

• He married his second wife, whose name is not widely publicised, and they later separated (Wikipedia)
• The marriage ended amicably, and Mullins has spoken about maintaining a good relationship with his ex-partner for the sake of their children.

Current relationship

• Charlie Mullins is currently in a relationship with a partner whose identity he has chosen not to disclose publicly (Wikipedia)
• He has children from his previous marriages, including a son who has occasionally appeared in the media alongside him.

How much did Charlie Mullins sell Pimlico for?

The sale to Neighborly

• The sale was announced in September 2021, with US-based Neighborly acquiring a 90% stake (Wikipedia)
• Neighborly is a franchise platform that owns multiple home-service brands, making it a natural fit for Pimlico Plumbers.

The reported £125 million to £145 million price

• Multiple sources, including Wikipedia and LADbible, report the deal value at £125 million–£145 million (LADbible (UK entertainment site))
• The exact figure has not been officially confirmed by either party, making it an estimate subject to due diligence adjustments.

Why he sold

• Mullins cited a desire to step back from day-to-day operations and spend more time with family (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• He remained as non-executive chairman of the newly formed WeFix London, the entity that succeeded Pimlico Plumbers after the sale (Wikipedia)

Who is Charlie Mullins’ current partner?

Relationship status

• Charlie Mullins is in a relationship, but he has not publicly named his partner (Wikipedia)
• He occasionally posts on social media with a companion, but her identity remains private.

Past marriages

• He has been married at least twice, with both marriages ending in divorce (Wikipedia)
• His second marriage was relatively short-lived, and he has spoken about the challenges of balancing a high-pressure business with family life.

Children

• Mullins has children from his first marriage, including a son who has worked in the family business (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• His children have generally stayed out of the public eye, reflecting Mullins’ preference for keeping his family life separate from his public persona.

What is Charlie Mullins’ background and early life?

School and early jobs

• Born 28 October 1952 in London, Mullins grew up on a council estate (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• He left school at 15 and became a plumber’s apprentice, fully qualifying by age 19 (LADbible (UK entertainment site))
• His passion for plumbing began at age eight, when he started helping a local tradesman (LADbible (UK entertainment site))

Starting the plumbing business

• At 27, Mullins launched Pimlico Plumbers from a single rented basement (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• He grew it into London’s largest independent plumbing company through relentless marketing and a focus on customer service (LADbible (UK entertainment site))
• For context on other entrepreneurs who transformed industries, read about Henry Ford: Biography, Inventions, and Controversial Legacy.

Awards and recognition

• Mullins was awarded an OBE in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the plumbing industry (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• He has also been recognised for his charitable work and his advocacy for vocational education.

Timeline of key events

• 28 October 1952: Charlie Mullins born in London (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• 1967: Left school at 15 (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• 1979: Founded Pimlico Plumbers (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• 2015: Awarded OBE (The Sun (UK tabloid))
• September 2021: Sold 90% of Pimlico Plumbers to Neighborly (Wikipedia)
• 2022: Turned 70; remains non-executive chairman of WeFix London (Wikipedia)

What we know and what remains unclear

Quotes from Charlie Mullins

“I left school at 15 with no qualifications. I just wanted to be a plumber.”

Charlie Mullins, interviewed by The Sun (UK tabloid)

He expressed pride in earning every penny himself, according to LADbible.

What these quotes reveal is a man who never lost sight of his working-class roots. The pride in earning every penny is a thread that runs through his entire career.

For other self-made entrepreneurs who followed a similar path, read about Norman Foster: Biography, Buildings & Legacy.

Frequently asked questions