In 1976 he won first prize in the National Organ Competition of Great Britain, for his playing of J. S. Bach's Clavierübung.

[2] He has researched and written a book about Belgian composer Joseph Jongen,[3] which has been described by Organists' Review as "a benchmark publication of impressive scholarship.

[5][6] Whiteley combines his busy schedule with recording and touring and has composed anthems and organ works, some of which are published by Banks Music Publications.

He has also transcribed the Symphonie en improvisation, recorded by Pierre Cochereau at Notre-Dame de Paris for Philips in December 1963 (published by Butz Verlag).

Whiteley was a part-time teacher of organ at Hull University from 1978 to 2003, and he has often been an adjudicator at the Royal Northern College of Music and elsewhere.