Until retirement in 2010, Phil Bagshaw was Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Otago Christchurch. During his career, he was President of New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology, Chair of New Zealand National Board of RACS, Chair of Council of Medical Colleges in New Zealand, and elected member of Canterbury District Health Board. He helped set up NZ National Liver Unit and chaired its Transplant Advisory Group. In 2004, he formed Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust and chairs its board. He worked there as volunteer General Surgeon until recently. In 2019 he was made Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.