A day in the life
David Harper, Chairman of HarperCo.David Harper is the Chairman of HarperCo. The business moved its headquarters to South Tyneside last year to accommodate its strong growth aspirations for the coming years.
The company operates across a number of business sectors through a variety of subsidiary companies including: Talent Training, hco-digital, hco-vetting and hco-sustain, and employ in excess of 100 staff across four sites in the UK.
They boast a glittering client list that includes the likes of NHS, Asda, DHL, Harrods and Argos.
A day in the life of David Harper
Friday 17 June, 2011
7.00am
Tradesmen arrive at home to start work on some alterations we are having done to the house. I head off to the office leaving them to it for what I expect to be a very busy day.
9.00am
I arrive in the office for my first meeting of the day which is with our external Accountants, to discuss end of year accounts for the businesses. I have an excellent Finance Director who has done all of the preparation needed for this meeting.
10.00am
I have a 15 minute conference call with a colleague in the south, regarding a background checking contract for Local Authorities who need to have clients CRB checked.
10.15am
Time for a quick catch up with my PA, to discuss any items which have arisen that need my attention.
10.30am
HarperCo employs six apprentices through Talent Training who I Iike to spend an hour with each week, to provide mentor support. The apprentices have a considerable amount of talent and ambition, and help me to identify opportunities within the business.
11.30am
I head off in the car to Newcastle with one of my Sales Directors, to meet with a potential national client. The meeting goes extremely well.
1.00pm
I travel back to the office, making some calls in the car, whilst my colleague drives - I finally get back to my wee sister, who tells me off for not responding to her messages - things have been particularly hectic!
1.30 pm
Next is a meeting with the company's Commercial Property Agents, to discuss a 12 month rectification review of our premises at Monkton. Our offices at Monkton were refurbished before we located here last year, and this meeting is to sign off the review, to confirm we are happy with the work carried out. We have been delighted with our move to South Tyneside which has proved to be an excellent location for our business. I have also recommended the borough to some of my friends as a great place to locate a business. Time to also grab a quick sandwich.
2.00pm
I then meet with a former colleague, who recently left to set up their own business and asked for some advice on employment law. I put them in touch with our lawyers who are able to give them the advice they need.
3.00pm
Time for a preparation meeting with the Creative Team at hco-digital to finalise a presentation. The presentation is for a new global project which we are bidding for - if we are successful we will create 7 new jobs in the borough.
4.10pm
I finish my working day and week with a final interview for a new Head of Operations at Talent Training. We decide to appoint the person we interviewed, and they accept. This is a very important role within our business, so it proves to be a very good end to the week.
6.00pm
The end of the working day, and time for me to catch a flight to London, to spend the weekend with friends.
7.05pm
Flight lands in London, minus my luggage, which failed to reach the flight due to my hasty arrival at the airport!
