About PHP Services.
Keith Pearson
Keith Pearson, an Associate of The Institute of Plumbing, founded PHP Services, originally known as K A Pearson, in 1979.
Keith spent the first thirty years of his career working with the Hatfield Park Estate plumbing department, where as well as maintaining the numerous properties the estate owned, he looked after the immense heating and water system of Lord Salisbury's home, Hatfield House.
He has always believed in passing on his skill and knowledge to the next generation and trained many apprentices, teaching them all the tried and tested traditional skills and principles he learned during his career, although always keeping up to date with modern technologies and practices.
One of his more talented apprentices was Jared Hooper, and Keith eventually chose Jared to be his partner in the business, together with Jared's wife Anny, who deals with admin and keeps everyone on track.
The company has recently changed its name to PHP Services (Pearson Heating and Plumbing), and is proud to have been in business for over twenty-five years.
PHP Services is a company with traditional skills and principles combined with a modern outlook and half a century's experience behind it.
Jared Hooper
The Hooper's have plumbing in their blood - Jared and his two brothers are all in the business, and their father is a builder with a plumbing background.
Jared, the oldest brother, had no doubt about what he wanted to do - he left Marshalswick School, St Albans at 16, and went into an apprenticeship with Keith Pearson, who worked with Jared's father and was almost part of the family!
Jared had spent many summer holidays working on building sites for his father and was familiar with most aspects of the building trade.
Jared spent two years getting his basic plumbing qualification at St Albans College, and saved up for his own van and tools. After completing his five-year apprenticeship with Keith, he gained Corgi registered status and became a member of the Institute Of Plumbing And Heating Engineers. After nine years he became an equal partner in the business.
"I find the work totally absorbing," says Jared. "People don't always appreciate the creativity involved! Every time we go on site we are in a design situation and problem solving to meet new challenges. We need to be creative and very versatile, as well as have a good head for business."
Anny Hooper
Anny is married to Jared, and is an integral part of the team. She left Loreto College in St.Albans and went on to Oaklands College to study and achieve her A levels in languages. After studying languages further at the Guildhall University, she moved into management, and has managed a variety of businesses.
For the last four years she has handled all the accounts and VAT returns for the business, despite having a full-time job, as Manager of a Lettings Agency.