Born and bred in East London, Stephen has been active in urban regeneration for the past 20 years in both the voluntary sector and the statutory sector. He was awarded an OBE for services to urban regeneration in the Queen's Millennium Honours List.

Stephen has a wealth of experience in both physical and social regeneration, with particular expertise in the health and housing field.

He is a Neighbourhood Renewal Advisor on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and has contributed to the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal.

In addition, he is a Director of the East London LIFT Company, a public/private partnership company in the London Borough of Newham, which commissions new primary care health and community facilities

Stephen is also Executive Chairman of the Expert Patient Programme – a community interest company which delivers training courses for patients and carers of patients with long term health conditions. This attracts an annual salary of £20,000.