Richard Fairs is the husband of British comedian and actress Miranda Hart, and a respected chartered building surveyor with over forty years of experience. He is the founder of The Building Consultancy Ltd in Bristol and is widely admired for his expertise in building conservation and his steady, private character. Though he became more widely known through his marriage, his life story reflects dedication, integrity, and a quiet kind of excellence.
In this article, we explore Richard Fairs’s life, background, career, relationships, and legacy in detail.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Education
Richard William Fairs was born in February 1964 in the United Kingdom. From a young age, he was drawn to buildings, their history, and the details that made them endure over time. This interest shaped his studies and his career path.
In 1982 he began work as a trainee surveyor at Rumball Sedgwick in Watford. He learned the foundations of property assessments, defect analysis, and restoration techniques. Alongside this practical training, he pursued higher education at Thames Polytechnic, now the University of Greenwich. He graduated in 1987 with a degree in Building Surveying, awarded with commendation.
By 1989 he had achieved chartered status as a building surveyor, a significant milestone in his professional journey. Later, in 2004, he returned to study further and gained a Diploma in Building Conservation from the College of Estate Management. This specialization allowed him to focus deeply on the care of historic buildings and their adaptation for modern use.
Early Career Foundations
After his qualification, Richard Fairs built experience with established firms in London. He worked at Hogben Smith Barritt, and later at J Trevor and Sons in the West End. These roles exposed him to a wide variety of projects, from commercial offices to listed rural cottages.
By the mid 1990s he had gained a reputation for accuracy and practical advice. His work combined technical precision with respect for the integrity of older properties. These years gave him the confidence and expertise to move into leadership roles and eventually to form his own practice.
Founding The Building Consultancy Ltd
In 1997 Richard Fairs founded The Building Consultancy Ltd in Bristol. His vision was to create a small but expert firm that could provide clear, professional advice without the bureaucracy of larger corporations.
The consultancy quickly built a reputation for excellence. It offered building condition surveys, dilapidation reports, leasehold advice, and conservation strategies. Many of the projects involved listed buildings, where sensitivity to history was as important as technical skill.
Under his leadership, the consultancy became known for integrity and transparency. Richard was closely involved in projects, ensuring that clients received practical solutions rather than theoretical promises. He gained trust for his straightforward communication and his ability to balance historic preservation with modern usability.
Over nearly three decades, the firm has served private homeowners, landlords, developers, and public organizations. It remains respected in southern England as a trusted authority on conservation.
Expertise and Professional Reputation
Richard Fairs is recognized as a specialist in heritage and conservation. His diploma in building conservation and his membership in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) support his authority.
He is admired for his focus on adaptive reuse, which allows historic buildings to meet modern needs without losing their character. He often emphasizes practical solutions, honesty about costs and limitations, and respect for sustainability.
Although he has not sought fame, his influence in the industry is clear. He has mentored younger surveyors, guided hundreds of building assessments, and helped preserve valuable architectural heritage. His career stands as an example of how consistent professional integrity can shape an entire field.
Personal Life and First Marriage
Richard’s personal life before the public spotlight was private and steady. He was married to Jeanne Speight for more than twenty five years. The marriage ended around 2017 but was reported to have been amicable. Together they have two children, both of whom remain outside media attention.
This long first marriage shows his commitment to family life and stability. Even after the separation, he maintained a quiet presence, focusing on his work and his responsibilities as a father.
Richard Fairs Meeting Miranda Hart
The turning point in Richard’s public life came in 2020. During the COVID 19 lockdown, he was hired to investigate a mould problem in Miranda Hart’s London home. What began as a professional service grew into conversations and friendship, which slowly developed into love.
In her memoir I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You, Hart affectionately referred to him as the “Mould Man,” acknowledging the unlikely circumstances of their first meeting. Their first date was informal. They stayed at home, shared pizza, and talked late into the night. For both, the simplicity of the evening highlighted how much they enjoyed one another’s company.
Richard Fairs Engagement and Marriage
In January 2023 Richard proposed to Miranda at Kew Gardens in London, near a bridge and a lake. The choice of place reflected thoughtfulness and a sense of intimacy.
They married on July 6, 2023 at St Peter and St Paul Church in Hambledon, Hampshire. The ceremony was attended by close family and friends. The reception reflected their humor and joy, featuring a Hawaiian theme, a steel band, and inflatable decorations.
Some reports list their wedding as July 2024, but the majority confirm 2023 as the correct year. Regardless, the celebration was small, warm, and deeply personal, in line with their personalities.
Partnership with Miranda Hart
Miranda Hart has spoken publicly about her struggles with chronic fatigue and Lyme disease, which have at times confined her to bed and limited her career. She has described Richard as a calm, steady, and supportive presence through those challenges.
She has also called him both her best friend and the love of her life. Their relationship is often described as grounded, humorous, and affectionate. To the public, their story stands out as a reminder that love later in life can be deeply rewarding and filled with companionship.
Public Attention and Media Coverage
Richard’s marriage to a famous comedian inevitably brought media attention. Headlines emphasized the contrast between Hart’s public career and his quiet profession. Many articles portrayed him as the “surveying expert” whose love story was unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight.
Despite this new visibility, Richard has maintained a low profile. He continues to focus on his professional work and family life, avoiding unnecessary attention. There are no controversies or scandals connected to his name, and the coverage he receives highlights his modesty and character.
Achievements, Challenges, and Legacy
Richard’s professional achievements include more than forty years of surveying, founding a respected consultancy, and contributing to the conservation of historic buildings across southern England. His dedication to adaptive reuse and sustainable preservation has influenced the way historic properties are maintained and adapted.
On a personal level, he has raised two children, navigated life changes with dignity, and found love again with Miranda Hart. His main challenges have been private ones: adjusting to public interest after years of discretion, and balancing his personal privacy with Hart’s fame.
His legacy is one of quiet authority. He embodies professionalism, honesty, and humility. His story shows that it is possible to have a fulfilling career, a meaningful personal life, and an enduring influence without chasing fame or recognition.
Conclusion: A Life of Steady Impact
The life of Richard Fairs demonstrates the power of consistency, care, and modesty. From his early days as a trainee surveyor to his leadership of The Building Consultancy Ltd, he has built a career on integrity and precision. From his first marriage to his second, he has shown resilience and a capacity for love and loyalty.
As the husband of Miranda Hart, he has entered public awareness, but his deeper identity remains that of a craftsman, a father, and a quiet professional. His story is one of balance between public and private life, between heritage and modernity, between work and love.
Richard Fairs reminds us that true success does not always need applause. Sometimes it is found in the steady preservation of what matters most, whether that is a historic building or a cherished relationship.
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