Phil discovered climbing and caving while growing up in Sheffield and continued to pursue both passionately during his Geology studies at Bristol University.
After completing his PGCE, he spent several years teaching in mainstream schools and specialist units for pupils with challenging behaviour. His belief in the transformative power of outdoor experiences—particularly for young people—soon led him into outdoor education. He began as an instructor before going on to manage a wide range of Local Authority outdoor provision for more than two decades. During this time, he also undertook inspections for the Adventure Activities Licensing Service.
Phil is a Course Director for Mountain Training awards in climbing and mountain walking, and a British Caving Association (BCA) trainer and assessor for all national caving qualifications. His previous leadership roles include Chair of the BCA Qualifications Management Committee, regional Chair of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, and Chair of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). He has also contributed numerous articles to national outdoor journals and magazines.
Alongside his work as an Inspector for Adventure RMS, Phil remains an active climber, mountaineer, and caver. Career highlights include climbing El Capitan in Yosemite—twice—and a ten‑day descent of Krubera Cave in Abkhazia, which at the time was the deepest known cave in the world at 2,196 metres. These days, he’s just as content spending time on the crags near his home in the Peak District.
