Areas of Expertise

Employment Advocate

Have an experienced advocate in your corner. Stephen evens up the odds, levels the power imbalance and vigorously pursues a fair outcome.

Strategic Human Resource Advice

In his role as a chief executive and more latterly, employee advocate, Stephen has obtained a vast amount of experience on resolving people issues and policy conundrums for organisations.

Policy and Strategy Reviews

Reviewing policies or a strategy from a first principles basis or being able to offer a critical independent review for internal staff to utilise. Stephen is also able and available to undertake investigations or critically review an area of concern and provide a robust report on findings.

Resource Consent Applications

Being a qualified lawyer with direct oversight for regulatory functions of a Council while chief executive, Stephen is able to prepare resource consent applications and liaise with Council planning staff. He knows intimately how Councils operate and how to select the smoothest route to achieve a desired outcome.

Executive Coaching

Stephen navigated a wide array of issues covering the gamut of political and operational matters in his 23 years as a chief executive. He is available to pass on the  wisdom and insight gained to younger leaders or senior leadership teams. He enjoys collaboration in problem or issue resolution and being a mentor/coach.

Commercial Negotiations

Looking for a creative solution to a thorny or impenetrable problem? Negotiation is Stephen’s forte. He has taken on some daunting issues and through a range of nuanced techniques has been able to reach an acceptable solution or compromise in the vast majority of instances, whilst still preserving relationships.

Public Speaking/ Master of Ceremonies

An accomplished public speaker via managerial and governance leadership roles, Stephen is available as a speaker on leadership and how to deal with the unexpected. With a varied professional background, raising a large family and interests as diverse as a former rock drummer, songwriter, rugby fanatic and thoroughbred horse breeder, there is always a tale or two that can be weaved into a presentation.

He has also acted as an MC for a number of events.