Burgan was born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, to Harry, an engineer, and Lilian, a dressmaker. He attended Thornbridge Grammar School before studying pharmacy at the University of Bradford, graduating with a 2:1 in 1973. He began as a branch manager for a pharmacy chain called W. Jamieson Ltd. in 1976, then became managing director of LICS Ltd. in 1982. In 1985 he was appointed managing director of Coopers Chemists. In 1986 he founded his own pharmacy business, Medimart Ltd., which grew to 38 branches across Yorkshire before he sold it in 1995.
In 1996 Burgan founded Maria Mallaband Nursing Homes Ltd., naming the company after his late grandmother, motivated in part by his experience supplying pharmacy services to care homes in the Leeds area. Early growth was cautious, but a key strategic shift in 2005 pivoted the group toward private-paying clients. A pivotal acquisition in 2011 saw Burgan purchase 33 purpose-built homes from the collapsed Southern Cross Healthcare, which he rebranded as Countrywide Care Homes. A 2014 sale-and-leaseback of assets to healthcare REIT HCP eliminated all debt and enabled further acquisitions. By 2017 the group operated 74 homes with nearly 5,000 beds. By 2023 it had grown to 78 homes across England and southern Scotland, employing over 5,000 staff.
Burgan received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Knight Frank UK Luxury Care Home Awards in 2021, recognising his 25-year contribution to the sector. He was ranked 11th in Management Today's Britain's Top 100 Entrepreneurs for 2010. In 2012 Maria Mallaband Care Group was named Global Care Home Operator of the Year by The Globals.
Burgan began competing in 1996 in the UK Ferrari Championship. He progressed to the European Ferrari Challenge from 1997 to 1999, competing in events across the continent. After a break from driving, he returned in 2006 to race in the Trofeo Maserati Championship.
His sportscar competition records show entries in the Sports Racing World Cup in 1999 driving a Debora LMP296 alongside Pierre Bruneau, including appearances at Brno, the Nürburgring and Magny-Cours, and a run in the European GT3 Championship at Mugello in 2006 in an Aston Martin DBRS9 shared with Martin Rich under the Barwell Motorsport banner. He competed in the GT Cup UK in 2015, recording a total of 28 races started and 10 podiums across his tracked results.
Following his retirement from competitive driving, Burgan established the Phil Burgan Race Academy to support emerging British talent. The academy backed James Toseland during his second World Superbike Championship year in 2007 and also supported younger riders including Danny Kent. Separately, his Maria Mallaband Care Group became the title sponsor of the Tech 3 Moto2 team.
In 2013, Burgan came out of retirement to compete in the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, driving a 1959 Volvo Saloon across 13,000 kilometres in 33 days to raise money for The Prince's Trust. He had raised over £75,000 toward a £100,000 target by the event's start.
Burgan serves as a major shareholder and investor in United Autosports, the global motorsport company founded in 2009 by Zak Brown and Richard Dean. He sits on the team's Investor Advisory Board, contributing strategic oversight drawn from his business experience. Under his involvement, United Autosports grew from its origins into a multiple championship-winning organisation, including securing the FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 title and victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020.
Beyond the Peking to Paris challenge, Burgan completed the National 3 Peaks Challenge in 2015, summiting Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours to raise funds for The King's Trust. His Maria Mallaband Care Group has supported numerous charitable causes, designating Dementia UK as its Charity of the Year in 2024 to fund specialist Admiral Nurses across its network of homes.