Described in a contemporary source as a disciple of Brunel, he joined Sir Richard Tangye's company, whose works were closely associated with funicular lifts.

Developing a number of cliff railways and steep-incline tramcar systems, including the Matlock Cable Tramway in 1893, the Swansea Constitution Hill Incline Railway in 1896–8, commissions included the design of the new Gothic pavilion at the Royal Pier and the Cambrian Hotel (later the United Theological College), both in Aberystwyth.

[11] He received a knighthood in 1911,[12] served at the Ministry of Munitions during the First World War, and was awarded the CBE for work as a commissioner for the dilution of labour in 1917.

[13] He held his Parliamentary seat until it was abolished at the 1918 general election, when he was returned for the new Northern Division of Cornwall.

[15] Marks continued his engineering and business activities and died at his home in Poole, Dorset in September 1938, aged 80.