Tom Mairs: The Remarkable Life of Sam Quek’s Husband, Property Entrepreneur and Television Millionaire
Discover Tom Mairs' inspiring journey through business success, his appearance on The Secret Millionaire, marriage to Olympic champion Sam Quek, and family life.
Tom Mairs is a British property entrepreneur who became widely recognized through his successful business ventures, television appearance, and marriage to Olympic gold medallist Sam Quek. Although many people know him as the husband of the former professional hockey player and television presenter, Mairs established his own business identity long before their relationship attracted public attention.
His journey includes developing student accommodation in Liverpool, appearing on Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire, and building a family with one of Britain’s best-known sporting personalities. His story offers an interesting look at entrepreneurship, charitable involvement, and life alongside a successful public figure.
This article explores Tom Mairs’ background, education, property business, television experience, relationship with Sam Quek, children, and the latest developments in his professional life.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Stuart Mairs |
| Known As | Tom Mairs |
| Born | February 1986 |
| Age | 40 years (as of November 2026) |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Property Entrepreneur |
| Education | University of Liverpool |
| Known Business | Antona Student Properties |
| Television Appearance | The Secret Millionaire (2010) |
| Wife | Sam Quek |
| Marriage Year | 2018 |
| Children | Molly Doris and Isaac Gregory |
| Known Interests | Property Investment and Horse Racing |
Who Is Tom Mairs?
Tom Mairs is a businessman with strong connections to Liverpool and the Wirral in Merseyside, England. He is particularly associated with student housing, an industry in which he established a significant professional presence.
Unlike celebrities who build their reputations through entertainment or sport, Mairs initially gained recognition through entrepreneurship. His business activities eventually brought him to television, introducing his work and personal story to a wider audience.
His marriage to Sam Quek later increased public curiosity about his background, wealth, career, and family.
Early Life and Educational Background
Born in February 1986, Thomas Stuart Mairs grew up with connections to Merseyside. Publicly available information about his childhood is limited, but his university education is documented.
He studied at the University of Liverpool, where his experience with student accommodation helped shape his business ambitions.
While attending university, he recognized that students needed better-quality housing with reliable management and modern facilities.
This observation became an important starting point for his entrepreneurial journey.
Rather than entering an unrelated industry after graduation, he developed a business around a market he already understood from personal experience.
Building Antona Student Properties
One of Tom Mairs’ most significant professional achievements was establishing Antona Student Properties in 2008.
The company focused on providing student accommodation in Liverpool, particularly housing designed to offer practical facilities and a comfortable living environment.
Starting With a Single Property
According to the company’s history, the business began with one house that Mairs rented to friends.
This relatively modest beginning developed into a larger student accommodation operation.
Antona subsequently expanded its presence in Liverpool, becoming an established independent provider in the local student housing market.
The company’s approach emphasized accommodation quality, property design, security, and responsive management.
Recognition for His Business Achievements
Mairs’ contribution to student accommodation received recognition in 2013 when he was honored as an Exceptional Graduate of the University of Liverpool.
The recognition reflected his work in improving student housing standards and his involvement in the local accommodation sector.
His career demonstrates how identifying a specific problem can lead to a substantial business opportunity.
Tom Mairs on The Secret Millionaire
Tom Mairs attracted national attention in November 2010 when he appeared on Channel 4’s reality television program The Secret Millionaire.
The program featured wealthy individuals spending time within communities while concealing their financial circumstances.
Participants met local people and organizations before revealing their identities and offering financial assistance.
His Experience in Bootle
Mairs appeared in an episode broadcast on November 25, 2010.
At about 24, he traveled from the Wirral to Bootle, Merseyside, to experience life in a community facing significant economic challenges.
The episode introduced viewers to a young businessman whose circumstances differed considerably from those of some people he encountered.
His participation provided a platform for charitable giving while revealing another side of his public identity.
The television appearance remains one of the main reasons people search for information about him.
How Did Tom Mairs Meet Sam Quek?
Tom Mairs and Sam Quek met in Liverpool in 2014.
According to Quek, they met at a bar while she was visiting the city.
Their relationship grew while Quek pursued her international hockey career.
In 2016, she represented Great Britain at the Rio Olympic Games, where the women’s hockey team secured a historic gold medal.
That victory significantly increased her national profile.
Mairs was already in her life then, and their relationship continued as she moved into television presenting and broadcasting.
Their Engagement and Wedding
The couple became engaged in 2017 following a proposal in Tenerife.
They married in August 2018 at Chester Racecourse, choosing a venue connected to their shared enthusiasm for horse racing.
Their wedding featured racing-inspired details and brought together family, friends, and familiar entertainment personalities.
The ceremony marked an important milestone in a relationship that developed alongside Quek’s transformation from elite athlete to recognized television presenter.
Tom Mairs and Sam Quek’s Children
Tom Mairs and Sam Quek have two children.
Their daughter, Molly Doris Mairs, was born in March 2021. The couple welcomed their son, Isaac Gregory Mairs, in March 2022.
Isaac is affectionately known as Zac within the family.
Quek has spoken publicly about the responsibilities of motherhood and the challenges of combining parenting with a demanding broadcasting career.
She has also described the importance of communication and sharing responsibilities with her husband.
Although the couple occasionally discusses family experiences in interviews, they maintain a degree of privacy around their children’s everyday lives.
Their Shared Passion for Horse Racing
Horse racing represents another notable connection between Mairs and Quek.
The couple has been involved in racehorse ownership, including the filly Stenton Glider, whose performances attracted attention within British racing.
Their enthusiasm extends beyond attending racing events.
In a 2025 interview with the Racing Post, they discussed their ownership experience, racing interests, and the sport’s influence on their lives.
Their wedding at Chester Racecourse also reflected this shared passion.
Tom Mairs’ Property Business in 2026
Mairs’ property career has changed considerably since he first entered the student accommodation market.
In September 2026, he discussed selling the individual student houses he had owned over the years, citing concerns about changes to England’s rental regulations.
He said he had historically owned about 50 student houses, but had exited that part of the market while retaining a smaller number of flats.
His comments highlighted challenges facing private student landlords, including the potential impact of periodic tenancies on accommodation traditionally organized around academic years.
Despite these changes to his personally held property portfolio, public company records still linked him to Antona (2008) LLP.
The distinction matters because selling individual properties does not necessarily mean that every associated business has closed.
What Is Tom Mairs’ Net Worth?
Public interest in Tom Mairs’ finances increased following his appearance on The Secret Millionaire.
His property investments and business experience established him as a wealthy entrepreneur, but his precise current personal net worth has not been publicly verified.
Online estimates should therefore be treated cautiously.
Property ownership, company appointments, and television appearances cannot establish someone’s total wealth without reliable information about assets, liabilities, and other financial interests.
His documented entrepreneurial experience offers a stronger basis for understanding his career than unsupported financial figures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tom Mairs
1. Who is Tom Mairs?
Tom Mairs is a British property entrepreneur known for establishing Antona Student Properties, appearing on Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire, and being married to Olympic champion Sam Quek.
2. How old is Tom Mairs?
Tom Mairs was born in February 1986. He is 40 years old as of November 2026, according to his birth month and year recorded by Companies House.
3. When did Tom Mairs marry Sam Quek?
Tom Mairs married Sam Quek in August 2018 at Chester Racecourse. The couple became engaged in 2017 after several years together.
4. How many children does Tom Mairs have?
Tom Mairs has two children with Sam Quek: daughter Molly Doris, born in March 2021, and son Isaac Gregory, known as Zac, born in March 2022.
5. What business is Tom Mairs known for?
He is best known for founding Antona Student Properties in 2008. The company became established in Liverpool’s student accommodation sector. In 2026, he reported selling his individually held student houses while retaining some flats.
Conclusion
Tom Mairs has built a public identity that extends beyond his marriage to Olympic gold medallist Sam Quek. From identifying an opportunity in Liverpool’s student accommodation market to appearing on national television, his professional life reflects several distinct chapters.
His business achievements, involvement in charitable television, family responsibilities, and passion for horse racing have all contributed to his story.
Although his property holdings have evolved, Tom Mairs remains an interesting figure whose background combines entrepreneurship, television recognition, and family life alongside one of Britain’s most successful former hockey players.
