Phil joined Oxfam GB in 1995, and has been the Director of the Campaigns and Policy Division since 2005. The current priorities of his team are Oxfam's new global GROW Campaign on food justice in a resource-constrained world, humanitarian protection and assistance in crisis situations, and the provision of essential health and education for all. Phil is responsible for a team of 170 staff working across policy, advocacy, programme and campaigns.

Previously, Phil was the head of Oxfam International's Make Trade Fair campaign to achieve trade rules that work for the poor as well as the rich. Phil was also the Head of Advocacy at Oxfam running teams responsible for research, policy development and lobbying.

Before joining Oxfam, Phil worked for eleven years in Latin America on international economic justice issues, human rights and humanitarian emergencies.