Subject: Dr Phil Harper, CEng MIMechE MInstNDT PhD MEng, who runs his own company in Sheffield making ultrasonic measuring and monitoring equipment for engineering applications. Married with two children.
Age range: 30–40.
Interests: Food, cooking, DIY.
RJL: Were you were brought up in Sheffield?
Phil: No, I was brought up on a farm in Kilkenny in Southern Ireland.
RJL: How did you become a Christian?
Phil: I come from a Christian family and I progressed along the stepping-stones of faith – youth camps, university, etc.
RJL: How did you get into ultrasonics?
Phil: It all started when I repaired tractors on the farm only to find a recurring breakdown. I wanted to know why. This lead me to study interacting surfaces and the wear that results. As a result of my PhD I had a business idea which became my company.
RJL: Did you work for anybody before you set up your own company?
Phil: No! I have no experience of being employed.
RJL: How many people do you employ?
Phil: We have 15 employees, four of whom are Christians. Two of them attend the same church as I do. I don’t find it difficult managing Christians: it works very well. Working with other Christians means that we have a common language and value system.
RJL: How do you set a Christian culture in your company?
Phil: Everyone knows my ‘religious views’ and how these reflect my values based on the Bible. We are black and white when it comes to honesty and openness, not having varying standards. We have gospel opportunities through how we live life to the full. I recruit people who will fit in with our culture.
RJL: Do you have problems or disagreements with customers?
Phil: Generally we don’t. Business is about relationships and trust. An apology transforms the situation – as Christians we are to be reconcilers.
RJL: What is hard about your work?
Phil: The responsibility to keep the business going – our staff rely on it for their livelihoods. Technically, nobody else is doing what we do, so it is a high-risk business and we are careful not too grow too fast.
RJL: Are there any conflicts between your job and your home/church life?
Phil: Being an entrepreneur involves a lot of sacrifice. It is important to limit the sacrifice and this is another reason to limit the growth of the company.
I used to be an elder and Bible teacher at my church, but this was incompatible with my business and family life. I believe that the Bible speaks more to communities than individuals and so I am accountable to my fellowship who provide a reality check.
RJL: Are you subject to any particular influ-ences which are not compatible with your Christian beliefs?
Phil: Not really, as I set the agenda. I try to run an ethical business. Profit should be money, social and gospel. We won’t pay bribes.
RJL: Would you recommend setting up your own business as a career for a Christian?
Phil: Yes and no! I enjoy it, but it is hard and tough so you need to want to do it and listen to what people say. Straight from university is the best time as you have less to lose. Hiring good people is the key.
RJL: What are your ambitions?
Phil: I would like to sell the company; perhaps to the employees. I would like more time for theological study and teaching both business and missions. I believe that business underpins the community which is to be redeemed.
RJL: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers about being an engi-neer/businessman?
Phil: I would like to set up a conference for entrepreneurs and missions to discuss what a gospel business should be and how strategic businesses can resource the church. I would also like us to re-think the integration of church, family and business – what does family mean in the context of the church?
Quick Fire Questions:
• FT or Daily Mail? / FT
• BMW or Skoda? / Skoda
• Wednesday or Man. U.? / Wednesday
• Beach or walking holiday? / Beach
• Starting or finishing? / Starting
• Solo or in a team? / Team
• Play it safe or take risk? / Take risk
• Live or recorded music? / Recorded
• Theatre or cinema? / Cinema
