By Adam Woodward • Updated: 21 Sep 2024 • 13:30 • 3 minutes read
Charlie Mullins OBE before selling his luxury London apartment. Credit: KBA agency
Charlie Mullins OBE, known as the ‘world’s richest plumber’, founder and ex-CEO of Pimlico Plumbers in London, has just upped sticks to become a permanent member of the Costa del Sol community.
Born and bred in London, the millionaire ex-plumber worked his way up from humble beginnings in Elephant and Castle, where one had no other choice but to work hard for a living. His true rags-to-riches story has captured the imagination of millions of Brits. In contrast, others deride him for his opulent lifestyle. Once a Conservative Party donor, he has now lost all hope in the Tories ever redeeming themselves and feels the current Labour government will do even more harm to the UK than their predecessors.
The Euro Weekly News was fortunate enough to speak to outspoken Mr. Mullins in his new Costa del Sol home in Marbella. We discussed his work ethic, his thoughts on UK politics, and life in Spain.
Have you already made the move to Spain? ‘I planned to move here a week after Labour won the election. I will be splitting my time between Marbella and Dubai. I decided to move all my assets out of the UK, but I’ve been on the Costa del Sol on and off for 20 years. I‘ve had various houses here. And I’m not going back. My family still has business interests in the UK, so I will visit.’
‘This [UK] government is heading for disaster. They pledged to tax businesses more. They are going to double inheritance tax and make changes to workers’ rights that will put companies out of business. They are going to break Britain. They are anti-business. They despise wealth creation. It’s not just about the money, though. If Reform gets in, I might go back then.’
You campaigned against Brexit. 8 years on, has your opinion changed? ‘Leaving the EU was a bad idea. The UK hasn’t benefitted at all from Brexit. They say Labour might try to get the UK back into the EU. I would support that.’
You famously quit school at a young age to learn plumbing, and clearly it was the best decision for you. What would you advise young people to do with their education today? ‘I would advise youngsters to do an apprenticeship. Take up a trade. You can use a trade anywhere in the world and make good money. Being a plumber, you can learn as much as any bank manager knows. I’m not sure if universities are all that useful any more.
You have always had a lot of drive. What drives you? ‘My drive perhaps comes from my father. He was a factory worker, and he had a good work ethic. He always got up and went to work. Back then, with my upbringing in London, it was seen as disrespectful not to work. It was wrong to be unemployed. Hard work didn’t do anyone any harm.’
Do you miss Pimlico Plumbers? Would you ever buy them back? ‘No. I hear they’re not doing well these days. With my family, we’re setting up Wefix London on October 1, offering the best quality tradespeople.’
Have you had to call a plumber since you’ve been in Marbella? ‘Yeah, of course. We had a guy called Manolo working for us in London. He had to come back here to Spain, and he’s really good. There are good and bad in every country, but here in Marbella, there are some excellent tradespeople. The quality is second to none. You should see the build of our new villa in Marbella. I would say that these days the quality in Spain is better than in the UK.’
Charlie Mullins went on to reveal that he hopes to gain dual Spanish – Dubai citizenship one day and that after 20 years of investing in Marbella, he already feels at home here.
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Passionate about music, food and the arts. After being completely immersed in the Spanish way of life for 25 years, I now share my knowhow and experience with you.
Spain does not allow dual nationally with UAE
Well, it’s a journey of discovery for all of us ‘ex-pats’, don’t you think?
It might at a price?
Good luck with becoming a Spanish resident where your world wide income has to be declared. The Hacienda just love multi millionaires becoming resident in Spain. Whatever happens soon in the UK with regard to tax I would be surprised if it is less than Spain.
He’s right about the prospects under Sir Keir’s Labour Government, a terrible start and just look at the Ministers running this once great country, look at them, they don’t have the intellect. Not that the Tories were much better, at least they would pay their own way I suppose.
Let’s hope he stays there.
It’s very hard to find a good plumber. I’m taking one to County Court for charging way too much.
What is your idea of too much? What work was done , how much did he charge you ?
He doesn’t live in Marbella..he lives in La Cals,,,which is far nicer
Very impressive. Decided to go one week after Labour got in but already has a place sorted. I think maybe he has been going for some time especially as the easy route to Spanish residency closes this Autumn. Hope he understands Spanish Tax Law.
Charlie is no dumb ass he will have taken sound financial advice before making his move.
Bit silly making moves before he knows what Labour are actually doing.. and ofcourse it’s his money behind WeFix so he’s starting his new family business in the UK (not Dubai or Spain). That’s not leaving, that’s making a massive endorsement..you plum (ber).
Good riddance. Take his passport back and exclude him from any NHS use.
He has no need to use the NHS with his multi million fortune whatever!!
Exactly.
Don’t be jealous of Charlie. He risked his money at first and made more after. Have go at that ***** Barroness Monie , she is the scammer making millions of the back of PPE.
The way Labour is taking this country to the cleaners he will be better off without either!!
Philip Arnold (plumber for 60yrs) Brilliant Charlie. Why do individuals despise rags to richers stories. Answer: Jealous because they didn’t/don’t have enough business knowledge or the stamina and guts to go self employed
Yes there at of jealousy on here .he’s worked hard to get where he is.and for the comment saying a bit silly.i wouldn’t mind being a bit silly and being a few pounds behind him
No. Plumbers charge way too much. I got £11 per hour for screening women for cancer cells !
If your in it for the money, fine. But don’t wrap yourself in the flag and play the the patriot and then jump ship if you think that you might have to pay a bit extra in tax. He’s never going to be poor or go without. It’s the ordinary working man and woman who pays the greater proportion of their personal incomes in taxes, not the rich with their tax advisors working 24/7 to minimise their tax exposure.
Only jealous because they don’t have the brains to do it for themselves
I don’t blame Charlie for leaving this country. I loved the place when I was younger. Now I don’t recognise it 😕
Do I detect some buyer’s remorse. Charlie was bad mouthing Tories and switched funding to LD from Tory. So he was responsible for Tories being kicked out, I thought he was absolutely for Labour replacing Tories. Now he says I’m off. Oh well. But why Spain, that is not tax friendly. Texas might be a better option. If sharing with Dubai, you can go as a tourist for 6 months. It seems doesn’t need to work, so can be a nomad I guess. But then would guess paying UK tax still. Might want to contact Nomad Capitalist.
Good luck Charlie Marbella best place might see you in the MARRIOT chilling out having a beer all the best
Met Charlie a while back at Puerto Banus had a good conversation with him seems a very genuine successful businessman fair play to him 👏 ps there’s no cure for jealousy
Known Charlie, since I was about 12 used to box together at different clubs in life is my hero such a generous and interesting person God bless you, Charlie
Hi it’s really something we can all learn from having lived in the UK a while I have noticed and observed that a parasitic life style of not working helps no human being just the opposite. I admire a man who can Work hard and follow the footsteps of his father, a large contributor is being the fortunate position to have a role model like Charlie’s father who taught his son well, if I had a chance over I would have done a trade instead I got a PHD. I totally agree with Charlie and heard he is down to earth and you can have a beer and laugh with him, please can you come over to South Africa one day Charlie, you could easily inspire many young people who need to hear your incredible journey awesome , full respect
He was a joy to speak to. So down down to Earth. Everything he said about politics and the World today seemed to reflect what so many other people have been telling me over the last 10 years.
He has got it right I did it in the 70s and built a group ofv 17 companies here in tourism construction golf course bowls club tennis club and shopping centro at bena vista.employing hundreds of locals and ex pats and building more than 5000 homes. And a Telecommunications business here Last year I won the Top international business award on the coast and Charlie if you want a chat just go to Expriencrgroupspain.com would love to.meet you and have a coffee
I am now 86 and still very involved in our services we have been offering the coast for more than 50 years.
ALAN JAMES
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