In a world captivated by headlines and celebrity glamour, it’s rare to encounter a figure whose professional life quietly commands respect while their personal story resonates with authenticity. Richard Fairs is exactly that: a seasoned British chartered building surveyor, founder and managing director of a specialist consultancy, and more recently, the husband of acclaimed actress-comedian Miranda Hart.
Early Life & Career Beginnings
According to profiles that surfaced in 2025, Richard William Fairs was born in February 1964 in the UK. From an early age, he was drawn not to the limelight, but to structure, design and detail—an interest that led him into the field of building surveying. While detailed public records of his schooling are limited, his professional credentials reflect decades of accumulated expertise.
In the mid-1980s, Fairs entered the industry as a trainee surveyor, working on building defect investigations, structural reports and heritage building consultancies. His early exposure to the underlying fabric of buildings—damp, decay, structural wear—laid the groundwork for a distinguished career.
Founding The Building Consultancy Ltd
In 1997, Richard Fairs established The Building Consultancy Ltd in Bristol, UK. His vision for the firm was not to grow into a large corporate enterprise, but to remain a boutique, specialist consultancy where the owner remained deeply involved in each project. His focus areas: historic building conservation, condition and defect surveys, dilapidation schedules and tricky damp/mould diagnosis.
Under his leadership, the company built a reputation for technical rigour and client-centred reporting. Colleagues and clients describe Fairs as meticulous, trustworthy, and understated—someone who could translate complex building pathology into clear advice, and whose work quietly upheld architectural heritage across a range of properties.
Professional Expertise & Philosophy
What sets Richard Fairs apart is his combination of craft-level knowledge with humility. He is often described as someone who values substance over style: instead of chasing media spotlight, he prioritises getting to the root of a building’s problem and offering practical, long-term solutions. According to one profile:
“His professional expertise lies in diagnosing hidden defects such as damp and structural weaknesses; his reports are detailed, actionable and client-friendly.”
He also articulates a broader belief: that old buildings should not be frozen in time, but given new life through adaptive reuse—preserving their character while ensuring safety and functionality. This philosophy reflects a deeper respect for history and continuity, rather than short-term fixes or flashy renovations.
How He Met Miranda Hart
For many, Richard Fairs became known through his personal relationship rather than his profession. The story is as unusual as it is charming. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Miranda Hart discovered a mould issue in her London home and hired Fairs to investigate. Their client-professional relationship soon evolved into friendship—and then something more.
In her 2024 memoir I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You, Hart recounts how their first date involved messy pizza, long-winded conversation and no pretence. She realised early on that she had found someone kind, grounded and unafraid of imperfection.
Love, Wedding & Life Today
Richard proposed to Miranda during a walk in Kew Gardens, West London, and the pair were married on 6 July 2023 at the parish church of St Peter & St Paul in Hambledon, Hampshire. Their charming reception featured a Hawaiian theme, inflatable flamingos and a steel band—reflecting a playful approach to life.
Miranda has been open about her struggles with chronic fatigue and Lyme disease in recent years, and she credits Richard with being a “steady companion” during times of illness and recovery. Their partnership is often framed as one of mutual respect, joy and authenticity rather than celebrity spectacle.
Why His Story Matters
Richard Fairs’s significance comes from two intersecting narratives: professional mastery and personal authenticity. His career reminds us that behind every structure, every property refurbishment, there are people with expertise, integrity and attention to detail. Meanwhile, his relationship with Miranda Hart offers a refreshing glimpse of ordinary-life values—even in celebrity circles: humour, vulnerability and a sense of grounded companionship.
He also challenges conventional expectations: we often think of public figures as loud or ostentatious; Fairs is the opposite. He chose a path of quiet craftsmanship and let his work—and ultimately his life—speak for itself.
A Worthy Intersection: Business & Personal
Interestingly, while we explore Richard’s story, it’s worth touching on some broader context: the world of high-net-worth entrepreneurs, celebrity marriages and public profiles. For example:
- Arun Nayar, a British-Indian businessman, has been reported to have a net worth of around US$ 200 million.
- Nayar’s profile includes being married to actress Elizabeth Hurley (2007-2011) and working in tech consultancy and textiles.
- While this story is separate, it highlights how business, celebrity and personal narrative often intertwine—yet they also differ greatly. Fairs’s journey is far more understated and non-glamorous; his fame comes via relationship rather than self-promotion.
Final Thoughts
In a culture that often rewards visibility, noise and self-promotion, Richard Fairs offers a reminder of the opposite: that quiet, sustained expertise matters; that relationships founded on respect and laughter endure; and that success doesn’t always need to be loud. He is a surveyor, yes—but also a craftsman of buildings, and a companion in life. His marriage to Miranda Hart may have brought him into the public eye—but the core of his story has been grinding concrete, inspecting damp, mentoring young professionals and treating historic structures with care.
For readers of Newtly, his life provides a model of professionalism and personal integrity. If you’re building something—whether a home, a career or a relationship—his story suggests that what matters is less show and more substance.
