Phil Simpson moved Birmingham in 1965 and has lived in Harborne since 1970. His wife is a local GP and their children have all been to local schools. He retired in 2003 after 25 years with Birmingham City Council where he was the transportation advisor on its planning committee. He joined the Green Party in 1979 and first stood in elections in 1981, latterly coming third in Harborne Ward. A former chair of The Harborne Society, he is currently involved in the Moorpool and Martineau campaigns. He has been involved in many other community campaigns since 1980.