Phillip Gifford served the Deputy Governor of Bombay Presidency from the year 1670 to 1676. He was also an illustrious colonial administrator in British India. He was assigned as a gubernatorial official as a subordinate of the governor of Bombay presidency. Gifford was preceded by Sir Matthew Gray as the Deputy Governor of Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1670. After the control of the headquarters of the British East India Company was relocated to the Bombay province, the necessity for the Deputy Governor was generally extinguished. In spite of the alteration, the title was assumed by the second official of the Executive Council of the Governor of the presidency. But the title was disused from 1720 and 1758.

Phillip Gifford was appointed in the position in the year 1684. Bombay Presidency was one of the three main Presidencies in British India, including Bengal Presidency and Madras Presidency. It was originally founded during the 17th century at Surat as a trading post for the British East India Company. The province incorporated the areas of modern states of Kandesh and Desh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, regions of Konkan and northwestern Karnataka state. The former British province was under the direct rule of the British Government of India.

The Province of Bombay did not incorporate any of the Princely states of India as the internal administration of these native states was duty of the native princes. However, Bombay Presidency supervised the defence of several native states and also managed the relationship of the rulers of the princely states with the British authorities. Gifford served in office as the Deputy Governor till the year 1676. He was succeeded by Henry Oxenden, who held office from 1676 to 1682.

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