Stephen has been a doctor, academic and entrepreneur. He currently sits on the board of five significant organisations: Network Rail (£10 billion per annum) where he will help lead the creation of Great British Railways over the next five years; The Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, the biggest and most complex renovation of a World Heritage building ever undertaken to save the home of democracy; Motability providing 630,000 cars for disabled people; Leonard Cheshire delivering choice and control to disabled people to help them live, learn and earn in the UK and internationally; Rugby Football Union (RFU) Injured Players Foundation supporting ex-players with catastrophic brain or spinal injuries.

Stephen broke his neck in an accident aged 21 as a medical student and this has contributed to his achievements. He set up a small business whilst undertaking his PhD and led this for 20 years. He then held senior Directorships for 10 years in two FTSE 100 companies working closely with Department for Work and Pensions, the Cabinet Office, Treasury and No.10.

Stephen contributed to the establishment of Southampton Centre for Independent Living and the Hampshire Coalition of Disabled People and has been a trustee of a variety of disability-related charities throughout his career. He spent eight years on the Council of the University of Southampton and six years on the Board of the Olympic Delivery Authority to create London2012. He has worked as an adviser to permanent secretaries, ministers, Secretaries of State and Prime Ministers on disability issues in the UK and internationally.