Phil has lived in Ipswich since 1981 and served as a councillor for Bridge Ward on Ipswich Borough Council since 1983. During this time, he has helped many residents with local issues around the ward, including the successful campaign for a residents parking scheme.

Phil also makes an important contribution to the work of the council across the whole town.
He currently serves as the portfolio holder for Environment and Climate Change responsible for Parks and Open Spaces, Refuse Collection, the Council’s efforts to become ‘net zero carbon’ as well as the Council’s remaining transport functions. He represents Ipswich on the Suffolk Waste Partnership, The East Suffolk Water Management Alliance, Ipswich Historic Churches Trust and the East West Main Line Partnership. Throughout his time on the council, Phil has taken a keen interest in transport matters and is a strong supporter of keeping Ipswich Buses in council ownership. Perhaps his most significant achievement was persuading Network Rail to build the new section of railway between Hadleigh Road and Sproughton Road in 2014.

Phil is employed part time as the Assistant Policy Manager with the Rail Freight Group, a trade association representing over 100 companies and organisation promoting greater use of our railways in order to reduce carbon emissions, relieve congestion on our roads and improve air quality.

Phil is a member of Railfuture.