Stephen joined the EEF, a new grant-making charity committed to investing £200m over the next 15 years in projects that will raise the attainment of disadvantaged children in England in January 2012. Founded last year by Sir Peter Lampl's Sutton Trust, together with the Impetus Trust, the EEF was awarded £125m by the Department for Education to test and promote evidence-based solutions in classroom, schools, families and communities.

Prior to this Stephen worked for the University of Oxford, most recently as Associate Director of Development as part of its £1.25 billion ‘Oxford Thinking’ fundraising campaign. In this role, Stephen headed-up teams working across principal and major gifts from private individuals, trusts and foundations, and corporates, as well as annual giving. In addition he oversaw the Campaign’s coordination and communications, and the roll-out of the University’s CRM database.

Stephen was a Councillor on Oxford City Council for eight years, including a term as Deputy Lord Mayor, was a governor of a local primary school for six years, and is one of the UK's leading political bloggers.