25/05/2026
✨ Meet the Team ✨
First up, I’m Arthur 😊🔧
16 years ago, I came to the UK from Latvia carrying far more than just a suitcase. Growing up, life was hard. I came from poverty and experienced struggles from a very young age that no child should really have to go through. A lot of my childhood was spent simply trying to survive, going without and learning very quickly that nothing in life would ever just be handed to me.
When I arrived in the UK, I couldn’t speak a word of English, had no friends around me and honestly felt completely lost at times. Everything felt unfamiliar and overwhelming, and there were moments where I felt out of place and alone. But deep down, I knew I wanted more from life and I was determined to build something better for myself.
Instead of hiding away, I pushed myself out into the world to meet people and learn however I could. The people around me helped me through patience, kindness and simply showing me things visually and physically when words were difficult. Some of those same people are still my closest friends to this day and will soon be standing beside me as my best men on my wedding day ❤️
Being able to speak Latvian, Russian and now English has helped me connect with so many different people throughout my journey.
I started out working part time on Maxwell Farms while studying Electrical Engineering at college, juggling both at the same time. Eventually, after getting a taste for earning my own money and working hard for it, I continued working across farms including A.J. Duncan on various jobs and contracts while trying to build a future for myself.
At 20 years old, becoming a dad completely changed my mindset and pushed me to want more from life.
With no shortcuts or handouts, I sold everything I had, including my car, to put myself through a private multi skilled gas engineering course. While completing my qualifications and building my portfolio, I worked alongside North East Boilers as an apprentice, eventually qualifying and working my way up to Gas Technician.
From there, I moved on to Trust Boilers as a Plumbing & Heating Engineer, and that’s where my confidence, knowledge and hands on experience within the industry really grew. Working there gave me the opportunity to work on a huge variety of jobs and systems, helping me build the practical skills, problem solving abilities and experience that have shaped me into the engineer I am today. I’ve always believed if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly 😂
Life continued to grow from there. I went on to have two more beautiful children before reconnecting with my now fiancée. Through that, I also gained an amazing stepdaughter, and later we welcomed another little boy together ❤️
Starting AKKA Premium Plumbing & Heating means so much more to us than just starting a business. It represents years of sacrifice, hard work, growth and determination to build something better for our family.
And honestly, none of this would be possible without my fiancée. She came into my life at a time where I needed someone to truly believe in me, even during the moments I struggled to believe in myself. She’s supported me emotionally, pushed me forward, reminded me of my worth and helped me become the best version of myself.
Building this business together honestly means more to us than words could ever explain ❤️
We genuinely can’t wait to start this journey and look after all of our future customers 😊🔥
