Stephen is Chair of Retail Economics, non-executive director of Timpson Group and joined the University of Bristol Board of Trustees in January 2021

Stephen’s career started in consumer businesses – Unilever, Alberto Culver, Mars Inc, Mattel. Stephen then jumped into retail as marketing director of B&Q before leading the acquisition of Screwfix Direct. Subsequently, he worked on the boards of WHSmith and Woolworths and then Director General of British Retail Consortium.

Previously, he has been a non-executive board member at:  Hargreaves Lansdown plc (Bristol-based, FTSE 100 consumer financial services), Clipper Logistics plc, National Portrait Gallery Company, Fresca Group (fresh produce supplier), Sofology (furniture retailer) and Footasylum plc (fashion retail). Stephen chaired Business West and then West of England LEP and Bristol Energy.

He is a former chairman of the Marketing Society, fellow of Royal Society of Arts, and a member Emeritus of the Marketing Group of Great Britain and received an honorary Doctorate from University of West of England.