A classic act by Mr Charlie ‘Pimlico’ Mullins!

It’s not everyday that the plumber turns up wearing top hat and tails in the company van – but then it’s not every day a plumber is summoned to Buckingham Palace by the Queen.

The occasion was last month when Charlie Mullins, founder of London-based Pimlico Plumbers, was awarded an OBE for services to plumbing, recognising at the same time his work to promote and raise social status of apprenticeships.

Mullins set up the business – now the capital’s largest independent plumbing and service supplier – in 1979 after completing and apprenticeship, determined to raise standards and the status of plumbing.

“I hope that I can be an inspiration to others, particularly young people who should see our industry as a great place to work and, by completing an apprenticeship, set themselves up for a long and prosperous career,” he said.