In regards to his persona, one of his colleagues told The Guardian that "around the office, he is a fairly head-down type of guy. There is a stereotypical investment manager with a big ego – he's not like that at all."[10]
After his wife Theresa May[11] emerged as the remaining candidate for the Conservative Party leadership, May's employer issued a statement saying his current job does not make him responsible for investment decisions: "[May] is not involved with, and doesn't manage, money and is not a portfolio manager. His job is to ensure the clients are happy with the service and that we understand their goals."[12]
Involvement in politics
May (right) by his wife's side after her being returned as PM at the 2017 general election
May briefly served as chairman of the Conservative PartyWimbledonconstituency association before reportedly deciding to concentrate on a career in finance.[4] Nonetheless he remained consistently active and enthusiastic as a Tory supporter, and often described as an "experienced Conservative activist".[13] He was named in the Panama Papers in 2016.[14]
May did not attend meetings to advise the Prime Minister in any official capacity but was referred to by some as the Prime Minister's 'most trusted adviser',[1][15] following her consultation with him over calling the snap general election in 2017 and her 2016 Conservative Party Conference speech.[16] He helped to canvass voters ahead of the 2017 Copeland by-election and supports his wife in her Maidenhead constituency affairs.[17]
As the spouse of the prime minister of the United Kingdom, May avoided giving interviews or making public statements but did accompany his wife for a joint interview on the BBC One programme The One Show prior to the 2017 general election.[17] During this interview, Theresa May admitted her sadness, for health reasons, she and Philip have not been able to have children, saying: "You look at families all the time and you see there is something there that you don't have".[24][25] Also in the interview, May said: "I get to decide when I take the bins out. Not if I take them out", and commented, "I do the traditional boy jobs by and large."[1][26] Asked about the downside to being married to the Prime Minister, May insisted it was a privilege, saying: "If you're the kind of man who expects his tea to be on the table at six o'clock every evening, you could be a disappointed man."[27]
Arms
Coat of arms of Sir Philip May
Notes
Son of Robert John May, who was granted Arms, Crest and Badge by Letters Patent of Garter and Norroy and Ulster dated 10 October 1997[28]