Stephen joined KPMG London (then Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co) in 1974 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1977.  Seconded to KPMG Chicago from 1980 – 1982, he then made Partner in 1987 in audit and transaction services. He latterly specialised in media clients which included BBC and ITV.

He joined Westminster Healthcare Holdings PLC in 1998 as Finance Director, a listed company operating nursing homes. He joined Management Consulting Group PLC in 2000, initially responsible for mergers and acquisitions and subsequently as Finance Director.  It operated several consulting businesses, principally outside the UK.

He joined Clifford Chance LLP, one of the largest international law firms, as Finance Director (subsequently Chief Financial Officer) in 2005 and retired in 2016.