Stephen is the son of a primary headteacher and a primary deputy head. He is married to a local authority senior adviser for Early Years and childcare.
With over 40 years of involvement in education, Stephen has taught in various schools, chaired governing bodies of primary and secondary schools and was the first Pro Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University. He has been a member of a local authority and most recently was Chair of
Stephen has been the Chair of diocesan board of education in Dorset, Wiltshire, Greater Manchester and Kent. He was a member, and for a time Chair, of the Church of England.