Phil (Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki-Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu) is married with three children and eight grandchildren. A semi-retired chartered accountant, Phil was formerly a consulting partner at Polson Higgs where he developed strategic and business plans, and conducted a Māori business mentoring programme. He also provided business and accounting consultancy services to Māori for the Otago/Southland region.
Phil has extensive governance experience, particularly in the not-for-profit sector, and has been involved in a number of professional, community and iwi organisations. Previous board roles include Advertising Standards Complaints Board, Education NZ, Todd Foundation, Business New Zealand, Ngāi Tahu Tourism and Kiwi Haka Ltd. Phil is currently treasurer for Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, and a board member of Community Care Trust.