Born in London, Philip spent part of his childhood in Washington DC. After receiving a PhD from Glasgow University for his thesis on urban planning in Algeria, he lectured at architecture schools in Jeddah and in Porto, where he now lives.

Painstakingly researched, his novels explore love, displacement and cultural conflict, always in evocative settings and sown with humour.  He received a K Blundell Trust Award from the Society of Authors, taught creative writing for the British Council and has published in academic journals and The Independent.

Married with two daughters, what free time he has left is divided between Marrakech and his dog.