About
- Chief Executive of Compassion in World Farming
- Twenty years professionally campaigning for the welfare of animals
- A keen bird watcher and wildlife enthusiast
Philip is the CEO of leading international farm animal welfare organisation, Compassion in World Farming. His sights are set firmly on ending factory farming worldwide for the benefit of animals, people and the planet. He believes passionately that the future of our food relies on achieving truly humane and sustainable food production globally.
His fascination with animals started at an early age; a present of a book on wild birds from his grandfather triggered a passion for birdwatching. His early interest in wildlife remains and fuels his continuing fight for the welfare of animals.
Philip first became aware of farm animal cruelty and the work of Compassion in World Farming while he was at school. Of a talk given by Compassion at his school, he recalls: “I remember vividly how much the talk blew my mind. Finding out about all hens, those birds being kept in tiny cages, I felt then, as I do today, that something must be done, and urgently.”
With twenty years of professional experience in animal welfare, Philip’s former roles include Director of Communications for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) (2003-2005) and freelance campaigner and strategist (2000-2003). He was Compassion’s Campaigns Director throughout the 1990s and led the successful 1998-99 European campaign to ban battery cages. He also played a major role in the high profile and award-winning campaign in 1994-96 to ban live animal exports.
Since becoming Chief Executive of Compassion in 2005, Philip has focused on strengthening the charity’s European and international campaigning capacity. He is also largely responsible for re-positioning Compassion’s issues as a mainstream concern; engaging with influential food industry companies in influencing global policy makers, as well as continuing to push for driving legislative reform on farm animal welfare. “I have always been, and continue to be, very optimistic about what we can accomplish, especially after seeing all the reforms that have already been achieved,” he says. Ultimately, as Compassion’s CEO, Philip hopes to see the end of factory farming worldwide in his lifetime.
Philip lives in Hampshire with his wife Helen, stepson Luke, and their four adopted hens – Hetty, Henna, Honey and Hope. He is an avid music lover, enjoys playing the guitar and – thanks to Luke – has rediscovered his passion for football. He has also been a professional wildlife tour leader and is a licensed bird ringer for the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
