Philip joins the University and CCC after retiring from a distinguished 30-year career in the UK and Scottish governments. As Permanent Secretary at the Department for Exiting the EU, he led the UK Government’s preparations for Brexit, heading a 750-strong team of officials. As Head of the UK Governance Group in the Cabinet Office, he also promoted understanding of devolution and constitutional issues within government. Prior to 2009, he was a leading civil servant in the Scottish Government, latterly as Director General of Education.

His expert insight from his time at the heart of government will support researchers in the Centre on Constitutional Change and the School of Social and Political Science as they continue to examine the impact of recent and ongoing constitutional change. Philip will also contribute to teaching, lending his rich expertise to students seeking to understand government and policy making.