Stephen has worked in the worlds of politics, government and consultancy. 

He worked at 10 Downing Street for Margaret Thatcher as Head of the Political Office. On leaving Number Ten, he joined Bell Pottinger where he was Chairman of the public affairs company and a main board member of the holding company, Chime Communications plc, advising major British companies and international organisations. During this time, he briefly returned to Number Ten, when John Major was Prime Minister, to work on the successful 1992 general election campaign. More recently, he was Chief of Staff to Michael Howard when he was Conservative Leader. Since 2005, he has provided strategic advice to a wide range of companies and organisations.

He is a graduate of Oxford University and has also worked in the City and in industry.