Stephen is the North West member of the AoC’s Governors’ Council, and a member of the AOC Board. He has over 20 years of experience as both a Governor in the FE sector and Local Government Chief Executive in Lancashire, and is currently a non-executive Board Member for the East Lancashire Health Trust.

An accountant by profession, Stephen is also a past President of the North West and North Wales region of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and a past Examiner of the final part of the Professional Accountancy Examination.

During his time in Local Government, and in the FE Sector, Stephen gained broad experience in strategic leadership, partnership working, skills and FE development, economic development and regeneration.  He has skills in lobbying and influencing Government policy through his work as an Advisor to the Local Government Association and past Special Advisor to Government Ministers.

He was awarded the honour of Freeman of the Borough of Pendle in Lancashire in 2015.