Phil attended medical school in Leeds and then trained as a Cardiologist in Nottingham and Leeds. From 1996 until retirement in 2021, he was a Consultant Cardiologist at the Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Leeds. During this time, he also held senior leadership positions in the Regional Strategic Cardiac Network and was involved in postgraduate training at the Yorkshire Deanery.

Phil joined Yorkshire Air Ambulance as a Trustee in 2025 to provide support on medical matters.

Phil lives in Leeds with his wife Liz, they have three grown-up children and six grandchildren. When not busy with grandchild care, he is a keen sportsman and enjoys keeping fit through cycling.