Philip's Work

In 2018 Philip was recognised as Scotland's official flags expert with his appointment as the first ever Honorary Vexillilologist at the Lyon Court.

This was in honour of his pioneering work in engaging with communities across the country. The Honorary Vexillologist position is the first official flag specific role anywhere in the world to be granted.

He was also made one of Scotland's Officers of Arms - the first March Pursuivant for nearly a century. This office is named for the border region of the Scottish Uplands.

The first symbols Philip worked with were tartans, following his introduction at University to his now-wife, who is a competitive Scottish country dancer.

Philip designed tartans for himself that subsequently became popular enough for a limited sale run, and in turn Philip being commissioned to design tartans for others - including the pipe band of the Swiss city of Bern, Auld Bernensis.

Soon after Philip got involved with flag design and his focus on helping communities to design their own symbols saw him recognised as a pioneer in vexillology. Since then Philip has supported over 60 flag registrations across the UK. Ranging from small villages to entire counties. This makes Philip one of the leading practising vexillologists in the world.

On community work Philip looks to empower the communities he works with to develop their own designs. Many of which have been done through the competitive process that Philip himself has developed.

He has also supported various individuals, businesses and government bodies with designs or advice. Similarly to his work with communities Philip looks to take a collaborative and inclusive approach to artwork and design requests. Always trying to find a way to achieve the vision within the law & spirit of heraldry.

Philip's work is credited with demonstrating the relevance and benefits of heraldry to modern audiences - through innovative approaches to engagement as well as design and artistry.

Philip's Life

Philip lives in Lockerbie with his wife & young daughter, having moved back north across the Border to be closer to wider family as well as Philip's Lyon Court duties specifically.

Previously Philip has been based in many interesting places across the country - including Cumberland, Lancashire, Lothian and Fife - though he was raised in the Black Country.

Philip left Halesowen after attending Earls High School and King Edward VI College (Stourbridge) to study philosophy at the University of St Andrews and Aarhus Universitet.  Whilst there his practising of graphic design and study of metaphysical meaning led Philip to become interested in the development of symbols like flags, arms and tartan.

Through his vexillographic work and heraldic duties Philip has loved the places he has been and new experiences he has had - from learning to give a few sentences of speeches in Scots Gaelic to helping to build symbolic ties with Japan through his art.

Outside of heraldry Philip has enjoyed a 15 year career in the aerospace industry, specialising in business strategy. Philip's expertise in this area has also been recognised with his representation of cutting edge contemporary strategic practices at academic symposiums.

Together the Tibbetts family enjoys exploring the varied and under-explored landscapes of the beautiful Scottish Uplands. They are passionate about history and frequently explore the many unpreserved castles of the region. Philip is also particularly interested in industrial heritage given a family history in aerospace and engineering.

Philip is also a fan of classic British Science Fiction, especially Dr Who - which earned him his nickname of 'Doc' after setting up the DocSoc society at University.

Philip is a trustee of, and Communities Vexillologist for, the Flag Institute, the Lyon Court's representative to the Parliamentary Flags & Heraldry APPG, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and has been inducted into the Order of the Scottish Samurai at Great Shogun level.