Charlie Mullins Interview

Charlie Mullins – Pimlico Plumbers

Interviewed by Bradley Chapman

The moment you pull up to Pimlico Plumbing's South London offices you are greeted by people with real character, charm and warmth. I was met by Eric, who helped me park my car and could be anyone's Granddad – I wish to thank him for his kindness and his passion for showing me around the motor pool at Pimlico. (PS – Eric I'm sure Charlie won't miss his Bentley if you want to lend it to me one afternoon).

As soon as I got out of my car I could taste a sense of pride in the air and strangely I could feel the energy of a successful business, and perhaps what it had taken to get it there. I knew at this point that my interview with Charlie was going to be something very special indeed – what I didn't know was that during my interview I would be reduced to tears of laughter after spending a couple of hours with a down to earth man I now know as Charlie Mullins – "Britain's Wealthiest Plumber"

Charlie Mullins did not always enjoy the Millionaire lifestyle he has today. In fact his childhood was far from glamorous and in Charlie's own words "I have been poor and I have been rich and I know which one I prefer".

Pimlico's offices are not quite what you would expect to find in a plumbing business and they are far from typical. The parking bays have Pimlico vans lined up with crazy number plates like Loo, Lav, Tap in the index and alongside Charlie's pride and joy Blue Bentley you will find some pristine condition Morris Minors branded with Pimlico's logos and there's even find one Morris that has not even been registered yet in A1 vintage condition.

As you move from the parking bays into the main reception the brand hits you "PIMLICO PLUMBERS", and more so, the work that the company has done for the largest range of high profile people including rock and pop stars, MP's, actors and more. There is a autographed picture of just about every famous person that you could think of in their reception.

There's a 40" plasma displaying Pimlico's recent TV and PR footage, photographs and press cuttings. You can also browse through and select what you would like to see and it includes everything from the Prince's Trust right through to Vernon Kay's "Wind up TV" which saw one of Charlie's plumbers getting blagged in true Candid Camera style. I had only entered the van pool and got into reception and I wanted to call a plumber just for the experience.

After Natalie introduced me to Charlie we toured the building and looked over the day to day business operations, met the team and enjoyed a giggle at the high tech high spec work document delivery train! Charlie then invited me into his office and I asked him the following questions:-

I guess it was not always easy for you, was there ever a time that you just wanted to give in?

There were a million obstacles along the way and some of them I thought that I'd not overcome. If you can get over them then you will get to where you want to go. You have two choices in business, get over them or fall over.

What drives you Charlie?

I am enthusiastic and resilient! I was raised in a council flat and come from a tough background. This alone gives you drive to want to better yourself. I started work when I was 9 years old and this made me realise at a very young age that if you have money you can get along and if you don't, you can't.

Growing up I was a quiet unassuming guy. I never really let people know what I was thinking and I certainly didn't let people know I was working. My mates were going to school and I was out earning money – It was a no–brainer for me. I enjoyed boxing as a youngster and boxed from when I as 14 to around 21 years of age.

When I was about ten years old I used to run errands for the local shopkeepers. It was a simple job and they paid you. No one had money back in those days but if you had money then you could move out of the environment that you were in and that is what I intended to do.

Was there a person who played an influencing role in your life?

I worked with a guy called Bill Ellis when I was 9 years old, he had money, took holidays had cars and always had cash in his pocket – Bill lived upstairs and I lived downstairs in the same house with my family. Bill paid me two bob a day and bought me dinner and I thought how bad is that! The seeds of what I thought success were sown then, thank God he was not a bank robber. I have never tried to contact him again and really want to as I owe him so much. I keep saying to myself that I must contact him and I will soon.

Did you every face major adversity when growing Pimlico Plumbers?

Yes during the last recession in the late 80s I nearly lost everything including my house due the fact that I did not have a strategy in place to survive a rainy day. I withheld a lot of my thoughts but it came down to two choices for me.
One – Chuck it in and lose my house or
Two – Keep fighting as you have nothing to lose.

I decided that I might as well fight!

I changed everything; I took on a new accountant and immediately became more ruthless. I took out all the dead wood from the business that were not pulling their weight and got new people in – It was either them or me and a chose me.

I employed a new marketing guy who transformed the brand completely. I was holding on too tight and I learned very quickly to delegate more effectively using a set structure.

How did you fund your business?

Self funding from working and I rarely spend time with my bank manager even now.

When you first started your business, if you could have access to a business and Entrepreneur network like Million Impossible which enabled you to bounce your ideas off like minded people, how would you have used it to your advantage?

When I first started in business I would not have believed it but nowadays with computers and technology I can see the advantages.

Who are the major contributors and influences in your business today?

My family and I have a lot to thank them for. I have two sons, two daughters, one son in law and a wife. We have a great team now with people running each department from HR, marketing, accounts and of course quality control. We all get along really well and understand each others roles in the business.

Is money or success more important to you?

Well I'm happy to chase all over London for a pound note and I like success but I think that they both go hand in glove. I would hate to be successful with no money but one thing no one can take from you is your memories!

Tell me about your recent appearance on The Secret Millionaire?

I went undercover, I headed to Warrington in Cheshire and helped out with voluntary work. I had to stay in a right Kharsi! There was telly, no curtains, the bed was awful and I honestly did not think that I'd be able to stick it out but I did. It took me right back to my youth. It was an amazing wake up call and helped put things in perspective for me. It made me remember not to take things for granted.

The people I met had nothing and many had their backs against the wall. Compared to their problems mine are nothing. You can't walk away from these people without doing something. I knew that I would return a different Charlie from the one that went up to Warrington.

The film crew gave me £64 pound a week to live on. I did a score on the lottery as soon as I arrived. I quickly ran out of money and could only afford chips for dinner. I can remember one night I really fancied a kebab and I couldn't afford it because i'd done my money on the lottery!

When I told Peter from the show that I was a successful plumber he didn't really understand what I was saying and just said "Oh that's good". It took me three attempts to tell him that I was a Millionaire. It was one of the most emotional moments in my life and even the cameraman had tears running down his cheeks.

The film crew said to me that filming this episode of The Secret Millionaire was one of the most emotional that they had experienced.

It was truly a life changing experience for me. I have made some new friends and I will definitely stay in touch. We're going to do some more bits for them, we're going up at Christmas to give out some presents and we're getting involved in a garden centre for people with learning difficulties.

Are you friends with Sir Alan Sugar now after the Apprentice Campaign?

I don't think he can take criticism. It's not like we are at war but I will not put myself out to befriend him. The government spent £3 Million pounds funding the new Apprenticeships Scheme and it achieved very low results. I mean, if Sir Alan had someone on his own "Apprentice" programme that did not perform he would say two words "You're Fired".

So if you woke up in the morning and lost everything and had to start again, what would you do?

I would get a box of tools and start plumbing again.

What advice would you give budding Entrepreneurs to help them succeed in business?

Well first and foremost it would be confidence and I would urge them to believe in themself. Secondly it would be have to enthusiasm, lots of drive and energy. You can buy brains but you can't buy enthusiasm. Thirdly be transparent honest and let your customers know what you are about.

How would you describe an Entrepreneur?

They are always different but when I meet them they always have endless enthusiasm and I think that is the most important thing.

If I were to take you to dinner, where would we go and what would we eat?

It would have to be Pie and Mash!

Visit www.pimlicoplumbers.com

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With Special Thanks from Bradley Chapman

To Charlie and the whole team at Pimlico Plumbers, you all really brightened up my week! Your interview was one of the funniest that I have done to date. You had me in tears, you made me laugh and you made me feel so welcome.

I'm sure that we will be talking in the future about other projects and opportunities. I felt that the Secret Millionaire really got to you and touched you inside. Although you are a man who keeps a tough exterior, I know now that the Secret Millionaire experience has really touched you.

On behalf of us all at Million Impossible and Raw Business Magazine we thank you and wish you and your team continued success.