Philip Coles

Philip is a retired communications specialist who led internal comms for global firms across finance and biosciences. Since graduating from Kent in 1989, he built a career in editorial, marketing, and consultancy. 

Now retired, he mentors students and enjoys travel, music, and literature. 

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

After graduation, I knew I wanted a career that involved writing and creativity, but I had nothing lined up when I moved to London. Following a stint as a runner in a TV and film production company, I managed to secure an editorial role in a small publishing firm which specialised in financial technology and first taught me how to write for a business audience and about communicating technical topics clearly.

In 1993 I joined the marketing department of a private client stockbroking firm in the City of London just as it was going through an exciting period of change and expansion. This was also when the internet and digital communications began to take off and my next move was to join one of the (then) new breed of creative web agencies, helping other organisations build a presence online. Here, I developed project management, consultancy and customer relationship skills. Missing working in-house, after a couple more years, I rejoined my previous City firm, helping to grow their internal/digital communication functions. In 2013, following a change of management and strategic direction, I set up on my own as a communications consultant, building a small portfolio of clients, advising on a range of topics from external marketing and social media to internal communications and employee engagement.

One of my favourite clients was a leading global animal bio-sciences company and I jumped at the chance to join them full-time. They were expanding rapidly across the world and needed help sharing their collective knowledge, information and innovation with all employees, wherever they were located. So I designed and implemented a global internal communication network and, for the best part of ten years, headed up their internal comms activities. In 2023, I turned 55 and realised I was at a bit of a crossroads. I was in the best job of my career, but there was still so much I wanted to do outside work. Throw in a few health issues (which tends to focus the mind!) and after much careful thought I decided to adopt a “life’s too short” philosophy and take early retirement. It’s a decision I have not regretted for a single moment.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

What was so exciting about my final role was that it crossed multiple countries, time zones and cultures, so the work I was doing was always varied, always challenging and no two days were really ever the same.

Now, in retirement, life is obviously a lot slower... and a lot less stressful! I am now able to do more sport and to be more active both physically (gym, five-a-side football, walking, cycling, boating) and mentally (there’s much more time for travel, for art and cinema and theatre, and for my life-long passions of music and literature).

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

The most satisfying highlights have been creating and implementing stuff that has had a lasting beneficial impact on the people and culture of the organisations at which I worked.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

Besides studying for a degree which encouraged me to think more broadly, deeply and creatively, the people I met and the experiences I had whilst at Kent helped me to grow up, become a more-rounded person, and taught me the importance of respecting and embracing different perspectives and different ways of life.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

It's not always the most obvious route or career path that will get you to where you want to be, so be open to everything. Grow your network, build yourself as wide a range of experiences as possible. Aim to keep learning, exploring, enquiring, no matter how experienced you become. Don’t lose sight of your passions outside your studies/work.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

Not enough!

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

We had some great bands play here in my time and the balls and parties in the various colleges were always a highlight. Living out in Whitstable in my second year in a house on the beach was big fun – although extremely cold for most of the year.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I’d maybe get more involved in some of the clubs and societies, the student newspaper and the radio station. These would have given me some early experience of things that that would have stood me in good stead for my later career.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Sadly none of the academics (I would love to have done this and I still think of many of them with huge gratitude and affection), but some of my fellow students from Kent have stayed life-long friends.

What are your future ambitions?

Professionally, no major ambitions, although I do really value being part of the Kent student mentoring scheme and would love to carry on with that. Personally, I want to continue to enjoy my new life and take the fullest advantage of this privileged position I am in.