Philip graduated in 1996 from University College Dublin and has since worked in private practice, in the pathology sections and the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in UCD, in Mayo District Veterinary Office, and in Veterinary Public Health. Philip was appointed to his current role in the Ruminant Animal Health Division of the Department of Agriculture, food, and Marine in 2017. Philip has had roles relating to the TB Stakeholder Forum, TB research, Head of the Wildlife Unit and policy development in the Irish TB Eradication Programme.