There aren’t many people who leave school at 15, build London’s largest independent plumbing firm, then sell it for nine figures. Charlie Mullins did all that — and then called that sale the biggest mistake of his life.
Net worth: Estimated £20 million after selling Pimlico Plumbers ·
Age: 71 (born 28 October 1952) ·
Marriages: Married 3 times ·
Company sale: Sold Pimlico Plumbers in 2022 for an undisclosed sum ·
Children: 5 including son Scott Mullins
Quick snapshot
- Exact sale price of Pimlico Plumbers (undisclosed)
- Current partner’s identity
- Precise net worth figure (public estimates vary)
- 1979: Founded Pimlico Plumbers (The Sun)
- 2021: Sold 90% stake to Neighborly (BBC)
- 2024: Now chairman of WeFix London (The Telegraph)
- Family venture WeFix London expanding (The Telegraph)
- Public speaking and media commentary (The Telegraph)
Seven key facts about Charlie Mullins, one pattern: a self-made millionaire who built a business from scratch and then publicly regretted cashing out.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sidney Charles Mullins |
| Born | 28 October 1952 |
| Occupation | Businessman, entrepreneur |
| Title | OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) |
| Net worth | Estimated £20 million |
| Children | 5 |
| Marriages | 3 |
Is Charlie Mullins a millionaire?
What is Charlie Mullins’ net worth?
Yes, Charlie Mullins is a millionaire several times over. Public estimates place his net worth at around £20 million after selling Pimlico Plumbers, according to The Sun and Spear’s Magazine. His wealth stems almost entirely from the 2021 sale of a 90% stake in his company — a deal the BBC reported was worth between £125 million and £145 million.
If the sale valued his stake at over £100 million, why does the public estimate put his net worth at £20 million? The difference likely reflects taxes, debts, and reinvestments — a reminder that headlines about deal values aren’t the same as a founder’s take-home.
The implication: Even after retention by his son Scott Mullins (who kept about 10%), Charlie’s remaining wealth is comfortably in the multimillionaire bracket, but far below the reported sale value.
How did Charlie Mullins get rich?
When did Charlie Mullins start Pimlico Plumbers?
Charlie Mullins left school at age 15 and started a plumbing apprenticeship, as reported by The Telegraph. At 23, in 1979, he founded Pimlico Plumbers from the basement of a London estate agent (The Sun). Over the following decades, he built it into London’s largest independent plumbing firm, employing more than 400 people and generating around $70 million in annual revenue at its peak, according to Wikipedia.
In 2015, he was awarded an OBE for services to the plumbing industry. The pattern: Mullins didn’t inherit wealth or attend university — he scaled a trade business by creating a strong brand and market dominance in the capital.
Building a business over 42 years gave Mullins immense wealth, but also created an attachment that made selling emotionally painful — a tension many founders know well.
The catch: The emotional attachment to a 42-year-old enterprise cannot be measured on a balance sheet.
Does Charlie still own Pimlico Plumbers?
How much did Charlie Mullins sell Pimlico for?
No, Charlie Mullins no longer owns the company. In September 2021, he sold a 90% stake to US home services group Neighborly, backed by KKR (reported by the BBC). The sale price was not publicly disclosed, but the BBC and Elite Business both cited a Financial Times report valuing the transaction at between £125 million and £145 million.
Why did he sell the company?
Mullins has since called the sale his “biggest mistake,” telling The Telegraph that he regrets exiting the business he built. The reasons reportedly included a desire to retire and take advantage of a strong offer, but the emotional cost became apparent only afterward. His son Scott retained roughly a 10% stake and stayed on as chief executive (BBC).
For entrepreneurs eyeing a trade sale, Mullins’ regret is a cautionary tale: a nine-figure payout doesn’t always compensate for losing the role that defined you for 42 years.
The catch: Mullins still has a hand in the industry through WeFix London, a new family venture where he serves as chairman, suggesting he’s not ready to step away entirely.
How many times has Charlie Mullins been married?
Who is Charlie Mullins’ current partner?
Charlie Mullins has been married three times, according to The Sun. Details about his current partner are not publicly confirmed — he has kept his personal life private in recent years. He has five children, including his son Scott Mullins, who held executive roles in the family business.
Mullins’ family has been central to his business story — Scott’s retention of a 10% stake and continued CEO role meant that even after the sale, the Mullins name stayed at the top of Pimlico Plumbers’ vans.
The implication: While his marital history is a matter of public record, Mullins has deliberately kept his current relationship out of the spotlight, a contrast to his often outspoken media presence.
Who is Charlie Mullins’ current partner?
Does Charlie Mullins have children?
As noted, Charlie Mullins has five children. The most publicly known is his son Scott Mullins, who retained about 10% of Pimlico Plumbers and became its chief executive after the 2021 sale (BBC). Scott is also involved in WeFix London, the family’s current venture. Charlie Mullins’ current partner’s identity has not been disclosed in major media sources, indicating a deliberate privacy choice.
The trade-off: Mullins has built a family business dynasty, but the public knows far more about his business deals than his personal relationships.
Timeline of Charlie Mullins’ career
Sidney Charles Mullins born 28 October 1952 (The Sun)
Started plumbing apprenticeship at 15 (The Telegraph)
From a basement in London (The Sun) Дізнайтеся більше про Денні Дайєра та його статки за цим посиланням: $Денні Дайєр статки.
For services to the plumbing industry (Wikipedia)
90% sold to Neighborly; son Scott kept 10% (BBC)
New family venture (The Telegraph)
The pattern: Each decade brought a milestone — from apprenticeship to OBE to sale.
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Charlie Mullins founded Pimlico Plumbers in 1979 (BBC)
- He sold a 90% stake in 2021 to Neighborly (BBC)
- He was awarded OBE in 2015 (Wikipedia)
- He has 5 children (The Sun)
- He has been married 3 times (The Sun)
What remains unclear
- Exact sale price of Pimlico Plumbers (not publicly disclosed)
- Current partner’s identity
- Precise net worth figure (public estimates range from £20 million to £70 million)
The implication: While much is known, key details like the exact sale price remain private.
What Charlie Mullins himself says
“Selling Pimlico Plumbers was the biggest mistake of my life.”
— Charlie Mullins, in an interview with The Telegraph (February 2024)
Mullins has said he left school at 15, had nothing, and built a business from nothing, and he’s proud of that. (The Sun)
The common thread: Mullins’ pride in building Pimlico Plumbers is matched only by his public regret at letting it go — a tension that defines his post-sale journey.
Overview: The lesson from Charlie Mullins
Charlie Mullins’ story is a classic British entrepreneurial success arc — from a council flat to a nine-figure exit. But his candid admission of the emotional cost of selling adds a rare honest chapter. For any business owner weighing an offer, the takeaway is blunt: make sure the price covers not just the company, but the role you’ll lose. For UK entrepreneurs in the trades industry, the decision is clear: understand the difference between a deal value and your personal wealth, or risk becoming the next founder who calls his exit a mistake.
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For more on the company behind his fortune, you can read about Pimlico Plumbers owner and history.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charlie Mullins still a plumber?
He no longer works as a hands-on plumber, but remains active in the plumbing industry through his chairmanship of WeFix London.
What is the name of Charlie Mullins’ new company?
WeFix London, a family-run emergency plumbing and home services venture.
Did Charlie Mullins go to university?
No, he left school at age 15 and began a plumbing apprenticeship.
How many employees did Pimlico Plumbers have?
At the time of sale, the company employed more than 400 people, according to Wikipedia.
Where is Charlie Mullins now based?
He remains based in London, where his business roots are.
What TV shows has Charlie Mullins appeared on?
He has been a guest on various UK media including business and current affairs programs.
Is Charlie Mullins active on social media?
Yes, he maintains a public presence on platforms like LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).
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Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.