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| {{Short description|British businessman and peer (born 1942)}} | |||
| {{EngvarB|date=December 2017}} | {{EngvarB|date=December 2017}} | ||
| {{ |
{{BLP sources|date=February 2020}} | ||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}} | ||
| {{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| |honorific_prefix = ] | | honorific_prefix = ] | ||
| |name = The Lord Harris of Peckham | | name = The Lord Harris of Peckham | ||
| |image = Official portrait of Lord Harris of Peckham crop 2.jpg | | image = Official portrait of Lord Harris of Peckham crop 2.jpg | ||
| |caption = | | caption = Official portrait, 2019 | ||
| |birth_name = Philip Harris | | birth_name = Philip Harris | ||
| |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1942|09|15}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1942|09|15}} | ||
| |birth_place = ], London, England | | birth_place = ], London, England | ||
| |death_place = | | death_place = | ||
| |other_names = | | other_names = | ||
| |occupation = Businessman | | occupation = Businessman | ||
| |known_for = ], ], ] | | known_for = ], ], ] | ||
| | party = ] (2024–present) <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/2d24500f-c70b-4c43-a112-e657c653506e | title=Tories aren't putting children first, I'm switching to Labour, says donor | date=30 June 2024 }}</ref> | |||
| | |
| otherparty = ] (–2024) | ||
| |boards = | |||
| | |
| boards = | ||
| | spouse = Pauline Harris | |||
| |net worth = £110 million (2016) | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Philip Charles Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham''' (born 15 September 1942) is an English businessman and politician. A prominent ] donor, Harris is a member of the ]. | '''Philip Charles Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham''' (born 15 September 1942), is an English businessman and politician. A prominent ] donor, before switching to ] in 2024, Harris is a member of the ]. | ||
| He is the sponsor of a large ], the ]. | He is the sponsor of a large ], the ]. | ||
| ==Interests== | ==Interests== | ||
| === |
===Business=== | ||
| {{BLP sources section|date=January 2023}} | |||
| Harris is currently an advisor and shareholder of Tapi Carpets, a flooring retailer set up recently by a number of the old Carpetright management team. Harris was the Chairman of ] and has over fifty years' experience in carpet retailing. Harris left Carpetright in 2014, sold all of his shares and he is no longer associated with the company. | Harris is currently an advisor and shareholder of ],<ref>, tapi.co.uk. Accessed 6 January 2023.</ref> a flooring retailer set up recently by a number of the old Carpetright management team. Harris was the Chairman of ] and has over fifty years' experience in carpet retailing. Harris left Carpetright in 2014, sold all of his shares and he is no longer associated with the company. | ||
| He was chairman and chief executive of Harris Carpets. Harris Carpets acquired ] in 1977 to become Harris Queensway plc until the company was taken over in 1988. | He was chairman and chief executive of Harris Carpets. Harris Carpets acquired ] in 1977 to become Harris Queensway plc until the company was taken over in 1988. | ||
| Line 33: | Line 35: | ||
| ===Football=== | ===Football=== | ||
| He was appointed to the board of ] as a ] in November 2005.{{ |
He was appointed to the board of ] as a ] in November 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Arsenal Board |url=https://www.arsenal.com/the-club/corporate-info/the-arsenal-board |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=The Arsenal Board |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| === |
===Equestrian interests=== | ||
| Harris is the co-owner of the |
Harris is the co-owner of the horse ], which won a gold medal with ] in the team show jumping event at the London ].<ref>{{cite news|title=London 2012 Olympics: Team GB's triumphant show-jumping team grateful for loyal owners|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/equestrianism/9457677/London-2012-Olympics-Team-GBs-triumphant-show-jumping-team-grateful-for-loyal-owners.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> | ||
| Harris and ] bought the horse for an estimated €2 million at the start of 2012. | Harris and ] bought the horse for an estimated €2 million at the start of 2012. | ||
| Line 43: | Line 45: | ||
| ==Politics== | ==Politics== | ||
| ===Conservative Party donations=== | ===Conservative Party donations=== | ||
| {{ |
{{BLP one source|section|date=February 2020}} | ||
| Harris has been a donor to the Conservative Party since the 1980s and was a great admirer of ]. He also made ] to ] as leader of the ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lucas|first=Ian|author-link=Ian Lucas|date=2 November 2021|title=What is @michaelgove doing with the £80,000 donated to him this year?|url=https://twitter.com/ianclucas/status/1455580562845052931|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> | |||
| Harris has been a donor to the Tory Party since the 1980s and was a great admirer of Margaret Thatcher. | |||
| ⚫ | ===Comments on Theresa May=== | ||
| He also made ] to ] as leader of the ]. | |||
| ⚫ | In a September 2017 interview with ''The Times'' he described ] as very indecisive, hopeless during the general election campaign which she should have won easily, and leading a weak, directionless government. | ||
| ⚫ | Other comments made included his opposition to an expansion of grammar schools, May u-turning on too many decisions such as the so-called ], and the Home Office not reducing net migration to the tens of thousands as repeatedly promised. Harris spoke about potential candidates on who could succeed May as Conservative Party Leader.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/theresa-may-is-hopeless-and-weak-says-lord-harris-of-peckham-5fdggwmkz|title=Theresa May is 'hopeless and weak', says Lord Harris of Peckham|date= 9 September 2017|accessdate=28 January 2018|via=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/may-is-hopeless-boris-is-too-lazy-and-gove-has-no-personality-nnth5hk6v |title= May is hopeless, Boris is too lazy and Gove has no personality, says Lord Harris of Peckham|first=Rachel Sylvester|last= Alice Thomson|date=9 September 2017|accessdate=28 January 2018|via=]}}</ref> | ||
| He is considered to be one of his personal friends. His ties to Cameron came under scrutiny two years later when it appeared that ], a political associate of his and a fellow donor to Cameron's leadership campaign, used Harris's name to claim privileges accorded to active members of the House of Lords (which Harris, his peerage notwithstanding, had never been).{{cn|date=February 2020}} | |||
| ⚫ | === |
||
| ⚫ | In a September 2017 interview with ''The Times'' he described Theresa May as very indecisive |
||
| He said May was mishandling the Brexit negotiations and alienated many in the business community. He also said the government's funding cuts to schools had gone too far and were a false economy and that the free schools policy should be overhauled by the Department for Education so that they are only set up in areas of place shortages.{{cn|date=February 2020}} | |||
| Other comments made included his opposition to an expansion of grammar schools, ] u-turning on too many decisions such as the so-called ], and the Home Office not reducing net migration to the tens of thousands as repeatedly promised. | |||
| ⚫ | Harris spoke about potential candidates on who could succeed May as Conservative Party Leader.<ref>{{cite |
||
| ==Harris Federation academies== | ==Harris Federation academies== | ||
| He has contributed extensively to education and as a result, many schools and colleges (such as ]) bear his name. Through the ], many secondary schools in South London have received Harris donations. In the ], he helped to found the ], ] and ], ], ], Harris Academy Peckham although many local residents are angered that the original name of the Harris |
He has contributed extensively to education and as a result, many schools and colleges (such as ]) bear his name. Through the ], many secondary schools in South London have received Harris donations. In the ], he helped to found the ], ] and ], ], ], Harris Academy Peckham although many local residents are angered that the original name of the Harris Academy South Norwood, Stanley Technical High School, was dropped in place of the Harris name.<ref>{{cite web|title = South Norwood residents demand Stanley's name is retained at new Harris Academy|publisher = Croydon Labour|url = http://www.croydonlabour.com/press_releases?PageId=df052888-b778-1504-c5dd-bede095be195|accessdate = 2 March 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225458/http://www.croydonlabour.com/press_releases?PageId=df052888-b778-1504-c5dd-bede095be195|archive-date = 27 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref> | ||
| In recent years, the forced change to ] has placed additional schools under the management of the Harris Federation despite considerable opposition from Boards of Governors and parents.<ref name="GuardianMar13">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/mar/10/primary-school-parents-row-takeover-academy | title=Primary school parents in row over takeover by academy chain |work=The Guardian | date=13 March 2013 | accessdate=5 November 2013}}</ref> | In recent years, the forced change to ] has placed additional schools under the management of the Harris Federation despite considerable opposition from Boards of Governors and parents.<ref name="GuardianMar13">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/mar/10/primary-school-parents-row-takeover-academy | title=Primary school parents in row over takeover by academy chain |work=The Guardian | date=13 March 2013 | accessdate=5 November 2013}}</ref> | ||
| ==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
| ===Sunday Times Rich List=== | ===''Sunday Times'' Rich List=== | ||
| Harris ranked 206th in the ], with an estimated wealth of £285m. |
Harris ranked 206th in the ], with an estimated wealth of £285m. | ||
| ==Honours== | ==Honours== | ||
| ⚫ | Harris was ] in 1985.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=50221 |date=6 August 1985 |page=10816}}</ref> He was made a ] as '''Baron Harris of Peckham''', in the ] on 11 January 1996.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=54291| date=17 January 1996 |page=747}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | His wife, Pauline, was created a ] (DBE) in 2004.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} | ||
| He was ] in 1985.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=50221 |date=6 August 1985 |page=10816}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | He was made a ] as '''Baron Harris of Peckham''', in the ] on 11 January 1996.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=54291| date=17 January 1996 |page=747}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | His wife Pauline was created a ] (DBE) in 2004. | ||
| {{Infobox COA wide | {{Infobox COA wide | ||
| |image = ]] | |||
| |escutcheon = Vert a chevron Argent between in chief two Rolls of Carpet in cross section Or and Gules and in base a Horse statant Argent. |crest = a Demi Horse rampant Argent on its head a Plume of three Feathers Vert and resting its sinister forefoot on a Tenterhook erect Gules. | |escutcheon = Vert a chevron Argent between in chief two Rolls of Carpet in cross section Or and Gules and in base a Horse statant Argent. |crest = a Demi Horse rampant Argent on its head a Plume of three Feathers Vert and resting its sinister forefoot on a Tenterhook erect Gules. | ||
| |supporters = On either side a Horse Sable standing on a Mount of Grass proper issuing therefrom Sprigs of Broom Vert flowering Or and grasping in the mouth a like sprig of Broom. | |supporters = On either side a Horse Sable standing on a Mount of Grass proper issuing therefrom Sprigs of Broom Vert flowering Or and grasping in the mouth a like sprig of Broom. | ||
| |motto |
|motto= Caritas Fructum Habet (Charity bears fruit) <ref>{{cite book|title=Debrett's Peerage |date=2003 |page=747}}</ref>}} | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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| {{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris of Peckham, Philip Harris, Baron}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 10:14, 12 December 2024
British businessman and peer (born 1942)
 | This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Philip Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| The Right HonourableThe Lord Harris of Peckham | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2019 | |
| Born | Philip Harris (1942-09-15) 15 September 1942 (age 82) Peckham, London, England |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Carpetright, Harris Federation, Arsenal FC |
| Political party | Labour (2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Conservative Party (–2024) |
| Spouse | Pauline Harris |
Philip Charles Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham (born 15 September 1942), is an English businessman and politician. A prominent Conservative Party donor, before switching to Labour in 2024, Harris is a member of the House of Lords.
He is the sponsor of a large multi-academy trust, the Harris Federation.
Interests
Business
| This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Philip Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Harris is currently an advisor and shareholder of Tapi Carpets, a flooring retailer set up recently by a number of the old Carpetright management team. Harris was the Chairman of Carpetright plc and has over fifty years' experience in carpet retailing. Harris left Carpetright in 2014, sold all of his shares and he is no longer associated with the company.
He was chairman and chief executive of Harris Carpets. Harris Carpets acquired Queensway in 1977 to become Harris Queensway plc until the company was taken over in 1988.
Harris was also a non-executive director of Great Universal Stores plc for 18 years, retiring from the GUS Board in July 2004. Harris became a non-executive director of Matalan in October 2004.
Football
He was appointed to the board of Arsenal Football Club as a non-executive director in November 2005.
Equestrian interests
Harris is the co-owner of the horse Hello Sanctos, which won a gold medal with Scott Brash in the team show jumping event at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
Harris and Lord Kirkham bought the horse for an estimated €2 million at the start of 2012. They are also co-owners of the horses Hello Sailor, Hello Unique and Hello Boyo.
Politics
Conservative Party donations
| This biography of a living person relies on a single source. You can help by adding reliable sources to this article. Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately. (February 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Harris has been a donor to the Conservative Party since the 1980s and was a great admirer of Margaret Thatcher. He also made donations to David Cameron as leader of the Conservative Party and Michael Gove.
Comments on Theresa May
In a September 2017 interview with The Times he described Theresa May as very indecisive, hopeless during the general election campaign which she should have won easily, and leading a weak, directionless government. Other comments made included his opposition to an expansion of grammar schools, May u-turning on too many decisions such as the so-called dementia tax, and the Home Office not reducing net migration to the tens of thousands as repeatedly promised. Harris spoke about potential candidates on who could succeed May as Conservative Party Leader.
Harris Federation academies
He has contributed extensively to education and as a result, many schools and colleges (such as Harris Manchester College, Oxford) bear his name. Through the Harris Federation, many secondary schools in South London have received Harris donations. In the London Borough of Croydon, he helped to found the Harris City Technology College, Harris Academy South Norwood and Harris Academy Merton, Harris Academy Purley, Harris Academy Chafford Hundred, Harris Academy Peckham although many local residents are angered that the original name of the Harris Academy South Norwood, Stanley Technical High School, was dropped in place of the Harris name.
In recent years, the forced change to academy status has placed additional schools under the management of the Harris Federation despite considerable opposition from Boards of Governors and parents.
Personal life
Sunday Times Rich List
Harris ranked 206th in the Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated wealth of £285m.
Honours
Harris was knighted in 1985. He was made a life peer as Baron Harris of Peckham, in the London Borough of Southwark on 11 January 1996.
His wife, Pauline, was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2004.
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References
- "Tories aren't putting children first, I'm switching to Labour, says donor". 30 June 2024.
- One Big Tapi family, tapi.co.uk. Accessed 6 January 2023.
- "The Arsenal Board". The Arsenal Board. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- "London 2012 Olympics: Team GB's triumphant show-jumping team grateful for loyal owners". The Daily Telegraph.
- "The team". Graham & Tina Fletcher. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- Lucas, Ian (2 November 2021). "What is @michaelgove doing with the £80,000 donated to him this year?". Twitter. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- "Theresa May is 'hopeless and weak', says Lord Harris of Peckham". 9 September 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018 – via The Times.
- Alice Thomson, Rachel Sylvester (9 September 2017). "May is hopeless, Boris is too lazy and Gove has no personality, says Lord Harris of Peckham". Retrieved 28 January 2018 – via The Times.
- "South Norwood residents demand Stanley's name is retained at new Harris Academy". Croydon Labour. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
- "Primary school parents in row over takeover by academy chain". The Guardian. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
- "No. 50221". The London Gazette. 6 August 1985. p. 10816.
- "No. 54291". The London Gazette. 17 January 1996. p. 747.
- Debrett's Peerage. 2003. p. 747.
| Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byThe Lord Sewel | Gentlemen Baron Harris of Peckham |
Followed byThe Lord Bowness |