Bishop Phillip Egan VG BA STL was born in Altrincham, Cheshire. Educated at St Vincent's Primary School and St Ambrose College and a graduate of the University of London (Kings College),he undertook his formation for the priesthood at Allen Hall, London and the Venerable English College, Rome and was awarded his Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Subsequently he gained a doctorate in theology (PhD) from the University of Birmingham.

He was ordained to the sacred priesthood in August 1984 and served as Assistant priest at St Anthony's Woodhouse Park (1985-88) before becoming Assistant Chaplain at Fisher House to the University of Cambridge (1989-91)

He was appointed chaplain to Arrow Park hospital, Wirral (1991- 94) before doing further studies at Boston College Ma. For twelve years he was on the formation staff at St Mary's College, Oscott, the major seminary in the archdiocese of Birmingham, where he was the college Dean of Studies and Professor of Fundamental Theology. He returned to Boston College as a post-doctoral research fellow of the Lonergan Institute in 2007, before being appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady and St Christopher's Romiley, near Stockport in 2008.

In 2010 he was appointed Vicar General of the diocese of Shrewsbury and in 2011 a Prelate of Honour to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and in 2012 a Canon of Shrewsbury Cathedral. He was appointed Bishop of Portsmouth Diocese in 2012.