He is the joint founding editor of the Journal of Public Affairs and a member of over 20 international editorial and advisory boards. He has authored over 200 articles, 400 academic papers and 20 books. He has worked in the chemical, food, and media industries and has taught and advised businesses and governments in Asia, Europe, and North America. He has held visiting professorships in Australia, China, Germany, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa and the United States, as well as senior academic positions at Otago and Manchester Metropolitan Universities. He chairs the Awards Committee and is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors and a member of the Marketors Trust of the City of London. Phil is an adviser to the Medical Mission Sisters, who provide health support to women and children in some of the world's poorest areas. He is chairing their Centenary Year Committee based in London to celebrate their care initiatives globally.

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Phil's current focus is on China, the enablement of the vulnerable, entrepreneurship, family business, international trade, Public Affairs, and, most notably, doctoral student development. His unwavering dedication to this area is underscored by his supervision or examination of over 40 Doctoral students to completion during his academic career. Phil's influence extends beyond the classroom and research lab; he has taught and researched extensively across Asia, Europe, and North America and has advised numerous business and governmental organisations. His advisory roles include Age Concern, Bank of America, Good Governance Institute, Granada TV, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Medical Mission Sisters, New Zealand Water Authority, Syngenta, Unilever, and various Australian, New Zealand, and UK Government Departments. Phil's commitment to fostering intellectual discourse is a testament to his dedication to education and knowledge sharing. This commitment is evident in his founding of the annual think tank, the Chester Forum, focusing on Economic and Regional Affairs in 2010. He also served as the organising chairman for a decade of the High Sheriff of Cheshire Enterprise Awards, which supported over 800 companies and third-sector organisations across the region.