After brilliant secondary and tertiary studies Philip W. chose an industrial career. In the UK he was appointed - at age 26 - Commissioning Manager of ICI UK's new polypropylene plant. He developed new copolymers both in the UK and subsequently in Australia (polypropylene and polyurethane technology). His ability to research, develop and promote new products to have them accepted by management and customers/end users led to an exceptionally rapid career in Australia's largest chemical company ( 1 000 graduates): Division Manager at 36, General Manager level (New Business, then Specialty Chemicals, then ICI's largest Group$ 700 m sales) at age 37. His promotions were based on his drive for innovation into new businesses: Adhesives, biospecialities, separate instrument and environment pro­tection companies by research, collaboration with CSIRO and other companies (GBC,QMC).
He is one of Australia's youngest technology leaders ( one step below Board level) with responsibility for a 700 million business.