'Motivation
will always
beat mere
talent'

About Phil

Following a career in UK Government service, Phil is now a motivational coach, author, after dinner speaker, and Director of the philharding.net network that provides outstanding sustainable business solutions and expertise.

Background

Through his management roles for the Department of Energy (in the 1980s and 90s) and the Government Office for the South West as Regional Energy Efficiency Officer and Senior Policy Adviser (climate change, resource efficiency and sustainable development), Phil Harding has built up a considerable knowledge of sustainability issues and also an extensive network of professional contacts that he knows to be reliable and effective in their individual areas of expertise.

In 1991 Phil moved to Bristol from the Department of Energy in London to take up the post of South West Deputy Regional Energy Efficiency Officer after pursuing his career in public sector management in Whitehall where he had worked on a number of high profile Government programmes including the Energy Efficiency Office from launch, and the privatisation of the gas and electricity industries.

Phil's role included providing energy efficiency promotion, guidance and advice to industry, commerce and the public sectors working with public and private sector organisations of all shapes and sizes. Phil has represented the Department of Energy's SW Energy Efficiency Office, Department for Environment, Transport & Rural Affairs (DETR), Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Government Office for the South West (GOSW, which closed in 2011 due to Government re-structuring and cutbacks).

Phil was also responsible for co-ordinating and supporting the South West Energy & Environmental Management Groups - the EEMGs provide continuing professional development (CPD), information exchange, specialist training and networking.

In 1995 Phil was appointed Regional Energy & Environmental Officer in the Government Office for the South West (GOSW). With changes to national and regional support programmes, that post evolved so that Phil subsequently became a Senior Policy Adviser at GOSW with responsibility for climate change adaptation, resource efficiency and sustainable development. Phil became a member of the Chartered Management Institute in 2005. He was awarded the MBE in 2006 for his contribution to sustainable development in the South West.

From 2005 - 2011 Phil co-chaired Climate SouthWest, the partnership tasked with helping the South West Region of England to adapt sustainably to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change.

Phil is managing editor of the South West of England's 'resilient sustainability' website www.oursouthwest.com and has been since its launch in 1999. This project has been under constant development since then and continues to have a large international following.

Phil has a real passion for the natural beauty of the South West of England - hence photographs he has taken of some of his favourite places are featured on this site. More can be seen on Phil's photography page and also on the oursouthwest photo gallery.

"Motivate me, motivate you". In addition to producing management guides and running the philharding.net network, Phil is also a motivational coach - see motivational testimonials below. He has written and published a popular self-motivation book, that is available to purchase as either a printed book or as a Kindle book (see below).

Motivational work

Phil is also a motivational coach and had delivered many highly successful motivational workshops and coaching sessions for a wide range of different audiences. Click on image above to gain access to the internationally popular motivate4me.com website developed and managed by Phil.

"Motivate me, motivate you". Phil has produced a popular self-motivation book, that is available to purchase as either a printed book or as a Kindle e-book. It makes a great little gift or a conference hand-out that will be genuinely valued by delegates.

To obtain your copy of either the printed version or the Kindle edition click on link:-

 Printed version >>
 (most popular format; discount for multiple orders)
 
 Kindle edition on amazon.co.uk >>
 (costs less than the price of a cup of coffee out)
 
 Kindle edition on amazon.com >>
 (costs less than the price of a cup of coffee out)

Here are comments from UK and US reviewers:

"This wonderful book is small but powerful!... how to be creative, positive, find the fun, and stay motivated in our professional and personal lives."

"I found this book immensely enjoyable & compassionate"

"Helping me to think in a different way. Recommended for all managers and staff."

"It's a really uplifting, easy to consume read."

"Well worth reading and giving as a gift to others".

"This has to be one of the cheapest ways to understand how to improve attitudes to life... I cannot recommend it highly enough."

Testimonials about Phil's motivational presentation/coaching work can be found on this page.

Management consultancy support from Phil

   management solutions for better business

Whilst primarily providing access to philharding.net (PHN) network members, Phil himself can also provide management consultancy support including conference and workshop presentations, or after-dinner talks from the following subject themes that are also offered by PHN network members from the network portfolio:

• change management & motivation (including staff engagement, leadership, self-motivation, team building)
• greener event management
• climate change impacts
• sustainable development

Testimonials can be found on this page.

Testimonials

'delighted to hear that you've lost none of your passion for finding innovative ways of taking these things forward'
- Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director, Forum for the Future, concerning the new philharding.net service (September 2010)

'... particularly impressed by Phil's efficiency and rapid response to any query. Phil has delivered for my business exactly what was required'
- Business Director and client of Phil's (November 2011)

'Phil's knowledge of the implications of climate change on business and society is vast. His enthusiasm and obvious commitment is infectious and I found him to be incredibly supportive of my work during my time at Business Link South West. Phil is well connected and respected, a pleasure to work with'
- Business Link Regional Manager (June 2011)

'Phil eats up work and always delivers on time... his can-do mentality and strong organisational skills are impressive'
- Government Office for the South West Director

'...industrious, authoritative and imaginative work ...easily deals with senior clients inside and outside Government'
- Regional Director, Government Office for the South West

'Phil's enthusiasm for and commitment to sustainability, together with his determination to make a difference, sometimes against formidable barriers made him an inspiration to work with'
- Director, Internet Marketing and SEO Consultancy Company and former colleague at GOSW

'...always one of the few who I felt I could trust completely, get a straight answer from and bounce ideas off in a relaxed and creative fashion...achieved an awful lot together and a large part was the result of your input'
- Comment (September 2010) from a lead consultant Phil had worked in partnership with from the environmental business support arm of a major NGO in Devon



Comments from delegates attending Phil's motivational management and self motivation workshops (privacy of delegates protected)

'I have had very positive feedback from many of the team on how interesting, enjoyable and useful the session you ran was for them'
- Envirowise Operations Director, Harwell International Business Centre

'Certainly the workshop did breakdown barriers and got people talking and thinking and raising their enthusiasm too'
- Chairman, Wessex Energy & Environmental Management Group

'Thank you so much for giving us such an excellent presentation ... made yesterday's meeting one of the best we have had!'
- Manager, Communications company

'Thanks for the talk today Phil, in what has been a difficult time for me this past year you put it into words very clearly, a truly helpful presentation for me. First class.'
- Manager, major transport authority

'Thanks for a great evening - I thought it was well thought out, well delivered and very appropriate.'
- delegate from an evening "Motivate me, motivate you" workshop


ENVEC

Some typical comments from delegates attending ENVEC. ENVEC was the South West's key annual networking event on energy, environmental management and climate change organised by a team led by Phil from 1993 to 2009. It regularly attracted 250+ delegates.

singularly one of the most consistently successful events I know of ~ one of the best events I attend, superb presentations ~ really well managed event ~ ENVEC has re-ignited my enthusiasm and passion ~ excellent, quick moving and packed with thought provoking presentations
 

Free management guides for better business performance

Phil has co-written and produced the following highly acclaimed management guides that are used worldwide by managers and consultants. These can be downloaded for free from the www.oursouthwest.com website (click on links):
 

managing change
- unique guide for overcoming management barriers to resource efficiency and corporate responsibility for environmental issues

effective energy management
- guide for achieving continuous energy, cost and CO2 savings

greener events
- a short and practical guide for reducing the environmental impacts of conferences and seminars

Internet and Photography

Phil has extensive experience of website development and management including editorial management for public and private sector clients. Phil has used his interest in photography to support such work.

Further information on this website from these links:

The philharding.net network internet marketing & web design members can provide specialist support and development services.

Contact Phil:

Phil can be contacted via the home page of this website.