Phil Huff
(He/Him)
Cambridge
As seen in:
MSN UK,
The Independent (UK),
Yahoo Canada,
Yahoo News New Zealand,
Yahoo News UK,
Aol,
AOL UK,
What Car?,
The Independent (US),
EV Powered
and
Covers:
Vans and light commercial vehicles, pickup trucks, electric commercial vehicles, fleet and business vehicles, automotive industry news and launches, plus travel, food & drink and lifestyle content.
Doesn't Cover:
Celebrity news, fashion or beauty, health or wellness, finance or crypto, politics, or gambling.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My first role was covering Formula One for SportNetwork in Durham. It was an exciting opportunity that gave me early access to the world of F1, attending team launches and test sessions at a time when the FIA had not yet begun accrediting online titles. The experience helped shape my approach to working directly with teams and manufacturers.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, though never professionally.
How is social media changing news?
Social media has made news more divisive and has introduced a level of scepticism into almost everything journalists do. It’s easier than ever to build an audience, but that visibility comes with increased scrutiny and a need for a thick skin. While social platforms can be powerful tools for reach and engagement, they’ve also blurred perceptions around independence and credibility in ways that can be frustrating for those working transparently.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To report accurately, fairly and independently, and to earn trust. It means asking sensible questions, checking facts, and presenting information in a way that’s useful and understandable to readers, rather than serving any particular agenda.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
By email, with a clear subject line and a short explanation of the story and why it’s relevant. Straightforward pitches with minimal marketing language work best. Clickbait subject lines along the lines of “This unspecified thing is the third worst thing ever!” get binned.
Who do you wish followed you?
Melissa Joan Hart — a childhood crush, I suppose. More seriously, I don’t need or want any specific person to follow me. I’d rather people do so because they find the work relevant, grounded and trustworthy, and because it’s something they genuinely want to read.
Why did you become a journalist?
Because I love spending time driving cars and wanted to turn that interest into something meaningful. I started out covering Formula One, which was great fun and gave me early experience of live events and manufacturer access, before moving into car journalism and, ultimately, vans. The commercial vehicle sector has proved especially rewarding, combining hands-on driving with real-world relevance for businesses and drivers, and it’s an area I continue to enjoy and focus on.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Breaking the story of the Nissan Navara being axed in the UK was a big moment for me, particularly early in my light commercial vehicle career. It was a clear example of how manufacturer strategy and market pressures can have real consequences for the UK pickup sector, and it helped establish my role covering LCV industry developments rather than just vehicle reviews.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Take it seriously and commit to it. Journalism is hard to sustain as a side project, so making it work usually means backing yourself and being willing to take a few calculated risks.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Email in the morning is ideal. I read all pitches, so there’s no need to chase with follow-up emails or phone calls.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The simplest ones. Clear, light on marketing language, and quick to explain what the story is and why it matters. I can’t point to a single pitch, but that approach always cuts through.
What's your favorite drink?
A really good Old Fashioned — simple, balanced, and hard to beat when it’s done properly.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Usually in a coffee shop, out at a country park, or on a plane heading to a city break or press trip.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That vans and pickups are niche or uninteresting. In practice, they sit at the intersection of regulation, technology and real-world business needs, which makes the sector far more complex and important than it’s often given credit for.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.