Mark worked on a short term contract for a consultant engineering company, and had two years with a local authority, where he was in charge of 6 plumbers, a "baptism of fire", where he quickly learned the art of delegation and man management. A year in Weymouth, thanks to a certain Mr. Tebbit, who told us all to "get on our bikes." followed, but Mark's love of the North brought him back to Yorkshire, where he took a Senior Supervisor's position for Huddersfield YMCA, where his task was to help re-introduce young unemployed adults back into a working environment, leading to full-time employment. This Mark enjoyed, and laid the foundations and attitude for the apprentice-based training programmes that Millside support.
After being employed by one plumber for six years, Mark left but couldn't find a company he wanted to work for. Thus, Millside Heating Services, began with Mark's vision of serving the industry with the keenest eye on future development.
Mark and the team at Millside remain dedicated to staying one step ahead of the industry. He was fitting underfloor heating 20 years ago and condensing boilers 18 years ago, and is already up to date with solar and micro-generation/renewable heating systems. He is currently involved in alternative fuels (such as veg oil) as a viable and cost effective alternative to current fuels on offer.
Mark is a member of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) and has a prominent role in the regional APHC group, and is currently the serving President of the Huddersfield Master Plumbers' Group (HMP). Currently as President, he comments: "I've always championed the idea that the plumbing and heating industry should be regulated in the same way as the gas industry, so I am glad new regulations are coming in. It's important that we're raising the professionalism of the industry." Mark is also an active member of Holmfirth Rotary Club, part of the Rotary Club of Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI), which continually raises funds for local and international charitable causes.
As a result of Millside's attitude and Mark's belief in the future of the industry, one of Millside's current apprentices has successfully been chosen to compete at a regional level for the award of Apprentice of the Year in June 2010. If successful, he will go on to compete at National level.
