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Mark Millar is one of the most recognisable ‘handymen’ on television, best known for working on BBC One’s DIY SOS (2015-2018) alongside the likes of presenter Nick Knowles, electrician Billy Byrne and designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
A professional carpenter he is the presenter of C5’s Build Your Dream Home in the Country
Alongside his television work, Mark runs his own successful building firm from Bristol, working with clients from countries as far and wide as Spain and the USA.
Mark is a popular speaker for building and carpentry events and a familiar personality on television news and quiz shows.
Contact Great British Speakers today to book DIY SOS star Mark Millar for your next event.
Growing up in Northern Ireland, Mark Millar initially wanted to be a chef, but after completing an apprenticeship in carpentry, Mark’s career was set. Moving to England saw him approached to star in the first series of DIY SOS, but due to the amount of private work he had, he had to decline.
But when they asked him again six years later, in 2005, Mark was able to say yes, this time working as a carpenter and project manager. Over 15 years later, the show is one of the most watched programmes on television, attracting up to 10 million viewers at times, and has evolved to include DIY SOS: The Big Build.
He is just one of the personalities we have from the programme including Gabrielle Omar and electrician Billy Byrne
He left the programme in 2018 in order to present Channel 5’s primetime show Dream Kitchens and Bathrooms with Mark Millar (2021-2022).
Mark is frequently asked to appear on radio and TV programmes to share his building and DIY expertise, including Children in Need (2020), The One Show (2019-2020) and the documentary How Safe Is Your House (2014). His charming personality has seen him delight audiences on quiz shows such as Pointless Celebrities in 2012.
Away from building, Mark is hugely passionate about the natural world and the outdoors; he once won the all-Irish diving championships and is a keen wild swimmer and kayaker – the latter of which he has taken to new extremes by kayaking some of the world’s most dangerous rivers.
He has an ever-growing online presence of over 16,000 across multiple social media platforms, where he shares behind-the-scenes looks at his television responsibilities and building tips and tricks.
– TV Production
– Carpentry
– Building Management
– Presenting
– The Natural World
In 2018, Mark participated in East Yorkshire’s ‘Foundation Live’, a combination of two industry events promoting a sustainable workforce. It was stated that year that people in their 20s no longer felt construction was enticing enough, with the profession dropping out of the top 10 popular careers for the first time in six years. Foundations Live combined a networking event for industry professionals to meet and share information and a careers event for people of all ages to encourage the next generation of construction workers. During his attendance, Mark provided a keynote speech and hosted a panel of construction professionals working to discover the most significant issues in the industry.
Mark’s humorous, cheeky and witty nature make him a favourite with television viewers and live event goers. He is full of energy and passion for the sustainability of the construction industry.
The confirmation of DIY SOS’s Mark Millar as guest speaker alongside a panel of leaders from the region’s growing industry will cement Foundations as the leading construction trade event in the region and a model for others in the country to follow.
Richard Hunter, MD at Hobson & Porter, Foundations Live