He has a police/military background, having served both in the New Zealand Police and Royal Hong Kong Police before commencing a military career. Stephen retired from the New Zealand Army in 1996 and transitioned into the private sector where he was appointed as the Managing Director New Zealand of a US multi-national human resources consultancy.   

In 2007 Stephen was appointed as General Manager to the Northern Region of the Order of St John. He has previously served as a Trustee on the Northern Region Trust Board and as the Chair of the North Shore Area Committee. He currently serves as a Trustee on a number of registered charities.