Phill is a qualified Electronics Engineer and worked for the US Company Siliconix, for twelve years, primarily in semi-conductor Characterisation and design. In 1991 Phill joined Shanning Laser systems as Manufacturing Manager and was part of a MBO where he became Operations Director responsible for the design and manufacture of medical and industrial laser systems. During his time at SLS Phill worked in Europe and Korea on major research and development contracts with the likes of, United Distillers, ADAS,M&S and Vauxhall Motors; He was also project leader for the Eureka 113 Carbon Monoxide laser programme in the UK. 

In 1996, Phill Joined the Welsh Development Agency and developed the new Innovation and Technology Counsellors network for Wales, becoming ITC Programme Manager four years later. In 2001, Phill created the Wales Innovators Network (WIN), which won the best award for Innovator support Worldwide for three consecutive years. In 2002, Phill completed a Masters of Science Degree and in 2006 became Senior Programme Manager for Technology, Science and Innovation for Business, where he led on the Business and Academia support programmes: Business Innovation, SMART Cymru and A4B.

Phill is currently the Head of Knowledge Transfer and Commercialisation for the Welsh Governments Innovation Department and is responsible for three major EU ERDF operations. These include R&D funding for business (SMART Cymru), funding for Academic and Industry collaborative research (SMART Expertise), along with a team of Innovation Specialists and Design & Manufacturing experts, (SMART Innovation). Additionally, Phill has responsibility for Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme in Wales, and has over many years, been the Welsh Government lead in a number of Design led INTERREG programmes.

Phill is a former chair of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and current full committee member, and is a member of GSE (Government Science and Engineering). Phill is also the vice chair of the Women in STEM board.