Something About Philip

The Candidate From An Ordinary Background Who With Your Support Will Strive To Achieve Extraordinary Things For You In Parliament

Philip is happily married to Helen (since 1991) and has 4 children. He can trace his North Devon roots back to at least the 17th Century on both sides of the family. Mike O'Brien, the Vice Principal of North Devon College said: "I think Philip is like a stick of rock - cut him in two and he would have the words "North Devon" running through his centre". Philip was born in Broadfield Road, Barnstaple in 1962, a short distance from where his maternal Grandmother was born in 1896!

The Family moved to Georgeham when Philip was 4 and he was brought up on a smallholding there. His father turned his hand to any and all types of livestock as well as his full time job for BT, ranging from the house cow milked by hand through to pigs, poultry and a market garden. He loves the countryside and this encouraged his passion both for nature and conservation and also country pursuits. Philip attended Georgeham Primary School and then Braunton Comprehensive (where two of his children attend now) and went straight to work in Lloyds Bank. “We could never afford money for holidays anywhere but we were happy and certainly I did not feel deprived. There was no dishonour queueing for our free school dinners or indeed leaving school at 16 (partly because the Family could not afford for me to continue in further education) but I have no regrets at all.”

Philip recalls “my parents were very hard working indeed. Money was always very tight and to help make ends meet, bed and breakfast guests were the first extra venture but Mum fostered many children too - I can recall there being up to ten of us sometimes when Social Services were particularly desperate. Thankfully, 4 of us in one bedroom did not last too long!”

“We were always encouraged to help at home. To earn some pocket money, we sought regular jobs and I can recall cycling the three miles to Woolacombe for gardening on Saturday mornings and a very busy year in “Ye Olde Cream Shop” in Croyde at 13 (with no till, that taught me mental arithmetic in a hurry!), glass collecting and washing at Ruda at 14 and at Croyde Beach Supermarket for the following two summer seasons and weekends.”

Whilst Philip had an accelerated management career opportunity in banking in front of him (where he also became the District Representative for the Staff Union too), in 1985 and at the youthful age of only 23 and with just a few hundred pounds behind him, he established his financial advisory business from scratch from his parents’ sitting room, with his foster sister helping him on a Youth Training Scheme at £20pw! Philip has been looking after people's money and advising them on their finances since. He is very proud that the Company is now one of the largest and most successful of its type in the Country. He is proof of what a North Devonian can do if he sets his heart and mind to it! Over his time, Philip and his business interests have created numerous local jobs. His firm manages a sum which has broached £130 million on behalf of its many clients.

Philip has studied hard whilst he was working too. He started with day release at North Devon College and completed his banking degree subjects at first attempt. Since then, he has completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and numerous other investment management and financial advisory qualifications - whilst holding-down all his other activities.

However, it is not just hard work which has helped Philip. He has taken calculated risks such as providing a significant sum when having a tiny income after he had just started the business, to help his parents’ financial separation in 1986. In 1991, with his father (who was retired on a small pension at the time), they mortgaged the home for a very large sum to buy his first business property in Joy Street in 1991. The calculation then was theoretically a simple one - the interest cost was less than the rent which Doves was paying so Doves took the shop underneath. However, he needed to have the confidence to risk all, his house and home and his Father’s security.

With Helen, Philip also owns "Old Custom House Restaurant", Doves' Christian Bookshop in Barnstaple (since 1988) and “Trimstone Manor Hotel”. Prior to this, Philip started dabbling in his first business as a postal dealer at the age of 14. He has also had self-catering properties and ran Dovetails Gallery in Ilfracombe for 9 years. He has always endeavoured to be actively involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Barnstaple Town Centre Management, North Devon Plus (and its forerunner) and many other business organisations over the years. He was a Trustee of The Christian Centre and has been in Rotary for over 10 years including Treasurer for 5! He has supported many other local clubs, societies and charities. Effectively, both Doves and Dovetails have been personal charities throughout the time but Philip is quite happy having supported the community in these ways.

Philip is well rounded in his interests, with connections and membership of many local and national activities, from the countryside to local postal history and badminton. Indeed, demonstrating his passion for the local area, Philip fully restored the oldest property on Barnstaple’s Strand and afterwards, co-authored a 120 page book on it and the history and importance of trade to Barnstaple and indeed North Devon over the centuries.

Philip’s involvement in society started at a young age too. He became one of the youngest members of the Taw & Torridge Stamp Club when he joined at 11. Whilst his attendance is sparse now, he gives talks and displays to the Club occasionally instead!

Philip has completed countless local sponsorships and supported events over the years including:

Braunton and Barnstaple Carnivals and "Kids Karnival", Dulverton Hunt, Georgeham Grand Fete, Croyde Pantomime (yes - even being prepared to be in it and, of all things, The Dame!), Theatres Trust, St George’s House (which he has supported since 1980), Two Moors' Young Musicians' Platform (this is a major 3 year sponsorship), the North Devon Show Country Pursuits area (believe it or not, the Ferret racing!) and Georgeham School where he has presented sessions on stamps and communications in Victorian times as well as holding a moth trapping session!

Christian Life

Philip attended Sunday School in Georgeham as a child but as his parents did not attend church, he drifted away at 16. However, he was encouraged back and became a Christian at the age of 18, becoming a member of Croyde Baptist Church where he has remained since. During that time he has been a Youth Club Leader for 11 years, Deacon, Church Treasurer and Secretary for 15 years and was part of the visionary leadership team which saw a transformation in the Church from a spare-time pastor to a part-time one, to the first full-time appointment for many decades and then now to two pastors!

Philip completed 4 years as Treasurer of North Devon Conservative Association. He has managed his own business for 22 years, now a very successful professional firm. He has numerous qualifications and much business experience.

Philip is a Conservative with a mind of economic growth and opportunity yet with a social conscience.