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.
Harris is currently an advisor and shareholder of Tapi Carpets,[2] 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.
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.[5]
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.[7][8]
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.[10]
Coat of arms of Philip Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham
Crest
[On a Wreath Or and Vert] 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.
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.
