Philip Davis MBE

Phil was instrumental in creating the Chamberlain Highbury Trust when he chaired the City Council’s Trusts & Charities Committee. He is Hon. President of Birmingham Pen Museum and a founder board member of the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust. He has enjoyed a forty year career in public service and local government, including serving as Council Leader in Telford New Town and chair of the West Midlands Regional Assembly. Phil stepped down as a Birmingham City Councillor in May 2026.

Professionally Phil worked in the trade union movement for twenty years specialising in employment rights. He has led a Third Sector organisation and been an NHS Trust board chair. Phil has also been active representing transport consumers. He is a past chair of the Midlands Rail Passengers Committee and sat on the U.K. board of Passenger Focus for 11 years. He also served as a member of the Commission for Integrated Transport.

In Telford Phil was founder chair of the UK Local Authorities World Heritage Forum. He steered initial work on the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Management Plan, after its UNESCO World Heritage designation. He received his MBE in 2021 for his more recent heritage advocacy in Birmingham. He was the City Council’s Heritage Champion 2012-2026. Phil is a former English Heritage Commissioner.

Now a freelance heritage advocate, Phil remains passionate about the protection and enhancement of both cultural and built heritage.

‘Growing up in Smethwick at Black Patch on the Black Country-Birmingham border, I developed a strong interest in the politics and history of our region and its movers and shakers. Highbury speaks to one of the key periods that shaped both Birmingham and the U.K. It’s a great pleasure to play a part in safeguarding both Chamberlain’s historic estate and to support its re-interpretation in the very different circumstances of 21st century Brum.

My favourite part of the site – though there’s a lot to choose from – is Joe’s study. Here decisions of national and global significance were made, for good or ill. It’s fascinating to reflect on this and admire the Venetian Gothic detailing of the Hall, with its family motifs, such as nods to Chamberlain’s passion for orchids.’  Philip Davis MBE