Builder's Biographies

FOREMAN JIM runs a small construction company specialising in modern renovations and new builds based in Staffordshire. He is 45 and comes from a long line of builders, priding himself on never having failed to meet a deadline. But the villa is his most challenging job yet. As site foreman, Jim has to master a number of ancient materials and building techniques as well as manage a team of builders that he's never worked with before. He also has to ensure that all Roman methods on site comply with modern health and safety criteria.

PLUMBER KEVIN grew up in South Shields at the end of Hadrian's Wall and says he was always fascinated by the Romans and history in general. "I'd have loved to go to university to do archaeology but that just wasn't an option when I was a lad." Kevin is now 52 but in the 1970s he served his apprenticeship as a coppersmith in a traditional forgery and then qualified as a plumber. Now Kevin works as a top-end bathroom fitter, doing all the plumbing, installation and tiling himself. Kevin is most interested to learn about Roman mosaics and the hypocaust system in the bath house wing of the villa.

PLASTERER TIM is 40 and is Yorkshire born and bred, he's never even left the country. Tim became a ‘plastering baron' during the building boom and drives a customised A Team-style van. But Tim was hit hard by the recession and had to lay off all 25 of his workers. After a year of unemployment Tim has large debts and is looking to reignite his interest in building. He hopes that working with Roman lime plaster will be the inspiration he needs to rebuild his career.

LABOURER BEN is 20 and lives with his parents in South East London. He's a labourer, "it's the dog's body job on a site but I don't mind being the dog", but Ben has hidden artistic talents and hopes to get an opportunity to pursue these in the villa build. He's also excited to live away from home for the first time and to spend time in a rural part of Britain.

BRICKIE DARREN is 28 and newly married to Sarah. He served his apprenticeship as a 16 year old school leaver and works as a bricklayer specialising in large, commercial builds such as housing estates and student accommodation. During the recession he made ends meet working as a supermarket delivery driver and so he's particularly excited to be back on a construction site. This will also be his first time living outside Reading.

CARPENTER FRED has gained a broad range of experience during his 46 years.  His CV includes serving his apprenticeship in carpentry, working as a shop fitter in top London stores and running his own business doing interior renovations on people's homes. Fred has never felled a tree or used an axe on timber in the round but is fascinated to give it a try.