Professor Phil Harris
Professor (Emeritus)
Biography
Professor Phil Harris OSA, BA (Hons), CertEd, PhD, FAMS, FCIM, FIPR, FRSA, HFAM Is Professor Emeritus in Marketing & Public Affairs at the University of Chester and Woxsen University, Hyderabad, India. He also holds the position of Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, RSA. Phil's international influence is further underscored by his role as a Fellow of the Good Governance Institute, London. He held the prestigious Westminster (Grosvenor) Marketing and Public Affairs Chair from 2009 to 2020 and has served as the Chairman of the Marketing Council (UK) PLC. Phil's academic career includes being a former Board member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Professor of Marketing at the University of Otago, New Zealand, and Founding Director of the Centre for Corporate and Public Affairs at Manchester Metropolitan University. Before his academic career, Phil held critical positions in the international chemical and foods industries with ICI and RHM. He has chaired or been a board member of the American Marketing Association, the Academy of Marketing, and the Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy.
Teaching and Supervision
Phil has researched, taught and worked at all levels of Business and Management Education internationally in Australia, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eire, Finland,, France, Germany, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, RSA, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, UK and USA, His specialisms are China, Entrepreneuralism, Industrial Marketing, Negotiations, Public Affairs and Doctoral Supervision Phil's journey is a testament to the power of education and determination. Born in Southall, Middlesex, London, he left school at 16 and worked in the broadcasting and pop music industry for Radio Luxemburg based in Mayfair. His academic journey began at night school at Birkenhead Technical College, where he gained his O and A levels. He set up a Trade Union branch before going to York University, where he was President of the Students Union and became involved in campaigning for human rights, sustainability and refugees. He was the first member of his family to go to university. His commitment to education and entrepreneurship is evident in his advisory roles and initiatives, such as advising governments on Medium-Sized and Small Businesses and helping found the UK Educate North Awards in 2015 and the University Entrepreneur Grant initiative in 2016. He has campaigned on the rights of the disadvantaged and their empowerment since 1968 and was awarded the prestigious Educate North Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award in Manchester in April 2024. In June 2024, he was awarded the Order of St. Agatha and became a Cavaliere of the Republic of San Marino in London in recognition of his work supporting them during COVID-19 and his services to fostering International Education, Public Affairs, and Charity. He is a Freeman of the City of London. He is married to Irene and lives in Chester, UK.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
He is the joint founding editor of the Journal of Public Affairs and a member of over 20 international editorial and advisory boards. He has authored over 200 articles, 400 academic papers and 20 books. He has worked in the chemical, food, and media industries and has taught and advised businesses and governments in Asia, Europe, and North America. He has held visiting professorships in Australia, China, Germany, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa and the United States, as well as senior academic positions at Otago and Manchester Metropolitan Universities. He chairs the Awards Committee and is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors and a member of the Marketors Trust of the City of London. Phil is an adviser to the Medical Mission Sisters, who provide health support to women and children in some of the world's poorest areas. He is chairing their Centenary Year Committee based in London to celebrate their care initiatives globally. . Phil's current focus is on China, the enablement of the vulnerable, entrepreneurship, family business, international trade, Public Affairs, and, most notably, doctoral student development. His unwavering dedication to this area is underscored by his supervision or examination of over 40 Doctoral students to completion during his academic career. Phil's influence extends beyond the classroom and research lab; he has taught and researched extensively across Asia, Europe, and North America and has advised numerous business and governmental organisations. His advisory roles include Age Concern, Bank of America, Good Governance Institute, Granada TV, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Medical Mission Sisters, New Zealand Water Authority, Syngenta, Unilever, and various Australian, New Zealand, and UK Government Departments. Phil's commitment to fostering intellectual discourse is a testament to his dedication to education and knowledge sharing. This commitment is evident in his founding of the annual think tank, the Chester Forum, focusing on Economic and Regional Affairs in 2010. He also served as the organising chairman for a decade of the High Sheriff of Cheshire Enterprise Awards, which supported over 800 companies and third-sector organisations across the region.