A Disgraceful Decision

You may have seen the news: the new American owners of Pimlico Plumbers (Neighborly) – the company I built from scratch – have scrapped the apprenticeship scheme I was most proud of. Let me be blunt: I think it’s disgraceful, not to mention shortsighted and cruel to the 16 youngsters who were sacked!

I Know What Apprenticeships Can Do

I started as an apprentice myself. No qualifications, left school at 15, grafted hard and built Pimlico into a £50 million-a-year business. Apprenticeships changed my life. And they’ve changed the lives of over 1,200 young people who came through our scheme at Pimlico. Many of them now run their own businesses. That’s legacy. That’s the long game. That’s how we fix things in this country – not with spreadsheets, but with skills.

Apprentices Deserve Better

So yes, I’m angry. Young people – some just months away from qualifying – were given texts, meetings, and payout offers that wouldn’t even buy a second-hand drill. One young lad told me he got £700. Another was on annual leave when he found out he was at risk. These aren’t just job losses – they’re dreams shattered, bright futures put in jeopardy.

What I Told the Press

I spoke to the Mail Online about the decision to scrap the scheme and the real impact it’s having on these young people. You can read the full article here.

I Regret Selling to the Americans

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: selling to an American private equity firm was a mistake. I chose them thinking their size meant stability. I now believe it was all about preparing the company for a resale and squeezing the bottom line. That’s not what British business should be about.

WeFix Is Stepping Up

At WeFix, the new home services company I’ve set up, we’ve already taken on several of the apprentices let go by Pimlico. I wish we could take all 16, but we’re doing what we can. And I’ve made this clear: if any of them want to pursue legal action, I will fund it.

Apprentices Aren’t a Cost – They’re the Future

This isn’t just about my old firm – it’s about where we’re heading as a country. Cutting apprentices because of minimum wage or NI rises is short-term thinking at its worst. Apprentices aren’t a cost – they’re an investment. A skilled workforce is what keeps this country running. That’s why I’m proud that WeFix is already bringing through the next generation of tradespeople.

My Message to Business – and to Apprentices

To the businesses out there thinking of cutting back: don’t. Back your people. Invest in skills. Your future depends on it. And to the apprentices affected – my door is open. Let’s fix this together.