Phil joined British Rail in 1980 as a traffic trainee. He worked his way via the Tamping Pool into Swindon Panel in 1984. Phil transferred to Reading Panel in 1990, before leaving in 1996 to work at Swindon B and Oxford. In 2001 Phil was promoted to Signalling Manager for Swindon B/Oxford, then in January 2004 was promoted to Area Signaller Manager. Phil is currently the Local Operations Manager for Oxford Panel.