Stephen studied law at the University of Hull and worked in private practice in York for 15 years, latterly as a partner.

In 1991, he returned to Hull as Head of the Legal Services team for Humberside Police, a post which he held for 24 years. 

Stephen was the Chair of the Association of Police Lawyers for three years and then served a further three years as Secretary. He also sat on the ACPO Working Group, raising awareness of the Human Rights Act.

Stephen now works as a consultant solicitor for the Police and Crime Commissioner in Cleveland.

Having been a school governor in York for 15 years, latterly as Chair of the governing body, he has developed an understanding of all aspects of school governance.

Stephen previously held a qualification as a rugby league coach, coaching youngsters at Heworth Rugby League Club for a number of years.

I have been for more than thirty years a committed public servant. I have extensive experience of working across the public sector and specifically in roles that meet the requirements of this role.

Having graduated from The University of Leicester, my career started in the private sector in banking and audit before I moved into the public sector with roles in audit and consultancy. I was privileged to join Humberside Police in 1999 where I worked as the Assistant Chief Officer until I retired in September 2017. Since then, I have been able to devote more time to my wife, Jan and my now 16-year-old son, but I also have a role in the NHS as one of three Lay Members in the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group. I have specific responsibilities for their Audit and Remuneration Committees.

 I am recognised as a strong and committed team player, team builder and team leader by both fellow executives and members of the teams I have lead. I have long held the view that it is critical to be committed to the people who work with you as people, engaging actively with them, and supporting and encouraging them as individuals, making them know that they are appreciated. This has underpinned my being able to take teams of people with me on the journey to deliver sustained and successful outcomes in challenging environments. I have always practiced an open, honest and engaging leadership style, which I do not find difficult to sustain.

Public organisations are at a critical point in the development of and demand for the services they deliver. The increase in quantity and complexity of need is matched by the demand for continuous innovation and often reconfiguration of services as there is a need to live within increasingly challenging financial targets. This must place different and increased demands on the services for which the Board is responsible and on the role and function of the Board itself. I have extensive experience of working in such environments. Following three years as a Trustee, I became a Member in December 2022. 

I see a good education as the gateway to personal fulfilment for young people whichever career route they ultimately choose – academic or vocational.

To support schools in delivering a good education I have been involved with East Riding School Governance for more than twenty-five years, serving on all four state school governing bodies in Hessle and as Chair of Governors at three. I was a member of the Trust Board since the formation of TCAT in 2017 and became a Member from March 2023.

My children attended local schools and my wife previously taught at a Trust school.

After working as a Company Director for ten years I started my own company in 2004. Based in Hull my company trades internationally in the health care sector. Working in the private sector brings useful skills and experience to my role.

I first became a school governor in October 2012 when I was elected as a parent governor at Kingsway Primary School, Goole. Between November 2015 and March 2018 I took the role of Chair and during my tenure supported the school from OFSTED RI to OFSTED Good.

In July 2018 I was appointed as a Local Leader of Governance by the East Riding – to support Chairs and their boards. I joined Penshurst Primary LGB as the Chair in October 2018 and have worked with the Headteacher, Head of School, the Clerk and Chair of the Trust to try and improve the effectiveness of the PPS LGB.

In December 2019 I also became a governor at the Holy Family Catholic High School (Carlton) which is the school our two eldest children attend. Whilst this is a fairly new role, I am relishing having exposure to secondary board level discussions.

I therefore have almost 8 years of governance experience and have sat on both teaching & learning and Finance committees, completed the SFVS and CRSA returns on behalf of FGBs and taken part in external inspections with OFSTED, HMI and the LA. During this time, I have undertaken online and face to face governor training, including completion of the Carnegie Taking the Chair course between December 2015 and July 2016.

I have an understanding of how schools work as a governor, member of staff (classroom and non-classroom based) and parent. This enables me to consider decisions and strategy from a multiple of viewpoints.

Between 2006 and 2017 I was a full-time mother to our three children – hardest job of all! However, prior to this and having completed a PhD in Geography in 2001, I worked as a Planning Officer between 2002 and 2006 at the University of Oxford. My role here was concerned with strategic planning, strategic use of the university’s budget, maintaining and running the University’s Resource Allocation Model, undertaking the external funding rounds, running committees and overseeing internal research funding streams.

I joined the Trust Board in September 2020 which enabled me to take my understanding of governance to the next level.  I have a sound understanding of what governance entails, what education is about and my mantra is that when in doubt just ask “how do you know?” I feel that my ability to challenge in this way, willingness to ask the obvious and my ability to think strategically would enable me to make a valued contribution to the Board. Maybe more importantly than the skills and experience I could bring is the fact that (to put it simply) I love governance - it makes me tick! From March 2023 I have moved from being a Trustee to a Member.