Phil is Head of Recreation & Public Affairs with the Forestry Commission England, West England Forest District. During his career within the Forestry Commission, he has worked at a number of Districts throughout England. After a position in the Lake District, he took up a post on the North York Moors working on large harvesting and re-stocking of sites. He also worked in partnerships with the NYM National Park Archaeologist developing a heritage data base and management plans for sites within the district. Then followed a period at Westonbirt Arboretum which involved the day to day management of the collection and the introduction of the large events such as the illuminated trail, Sculptree and concerts. He joined the Forest of Dean District in 2008 and two years ago the Forestry Commission underwent a major reorganisation out of which West England was formed, the area covered by the District runs from the Cheshire, Shropshire border down to Cornwall.