Stephen's work
About Stephen
For more than 25 years, I've helped organisations unlock the commercial value of creativity - strengthening brands, solving complex business challenges and winning new business through strategic creative thinking.
My career has taken me from hands-on designer to Creative Director and Head of Creative, building and leading high-performing creative teams across agencies and in-house environments that combine strategic thinking with exceptional creative execution. Throughout that journey, I've remained passionate about developing people, challenging conventional thinking and demonstrating the commercial value that creativity can bring to an organisation.
Most recently, I led SOCreative at Sodexo UK & Ireland, transforming the team into a trusted strategic partner supporting multiple business sectors. During that time, I expanded the team from four to twelve creative professionals, led the creative strategy behind major commercial bids, developed new brands and creative propositions, and introduced new ways of working through innovation, AI and emerging technology.
What motivates me most is creating environments where talented people can do their best work. I enjoy mentoring creative teams, influencing senior stakeholders and helping organisations rethink the role creativity can play in business growth.
I believe the best in-house creative teams don't simply produce design - they influence strategy, strengthen brands, improve customer experience and create measurable commercial value.
From junior designer through agency, consultancy and global in-house leadership roles, every stage of my career has shaped how I lead today. It has given me a genuine appreciation of every role within a creative team and reinforced my belief in developing people, encouraging curiosity and creating environments where creativity can thrive.
I've always believed the best creative leaders build more than brands - they build teams, confidence, trust and cultures where talented people can thrive. That's the impact I strive to leave behind wherever I work.
As I begin the next chapter of my career, I'm looking to join an ambitious organisation that sees creativity as a strategic driver of growth, values its people and is ready to invest in building exceptional creative capability.
I'm always happy to connect with people passionate about creative leadership, brand strategy, innovation and building high-performing creative teams.
My career has taken me from hands-on designer to Creative Director and Head of Creative, building and leading high-performing creative teams across agencies and in-house environments that combine strategic thinking with exceptional creative execution. Throughout that journey, I've remained passionate about developing people, challenging conventional thinking and demonstrating the commercial value that creativity can bring to an organisation.
Most recently, I led SOCreative at Sodexo UK & Ireland, transforming the team into a trusted strategic partner supporting multiple business sectors. During that time, I expanded the team from four to twelve creative professionals, led the creative strategy behind major commercial bids, developed new brands and creative propositions, and introduced new ways of working through innovation, AI and emerging technology.
What motivates me most is creating environments where talented people can do their best work. I enjoy mentoring creative teams, influencing senior stakeholders and helping organisations rethink the role creativity can play in business growth.
I believe the best in-house creative teams don't simply produce design - they influence strategy, strengthen brands, improve customer experience and create measurable commercial value.
From junior designer through agency, consultancy and global in-house leadership roles, every stage of my career has shaped how I lead today. It has given me a genuine appreciation of every role within a creative team and reinforced my belief in developing people, encouraging curiosity and creating environments where creativity can thrive.
I've always believed the best creative leaders build more than brands - they build teams, confidence, trust and cultures where talented people can thrive. That's the impact I strive to leave behind wherever I work.
As I begin the next chapter of my career, I'm looking to join an ambitious organisation that sees creativity as a strategic driver of growth, values its people and is ready to invest in building exceptional creative capability.
I'm always happy to connect with people passionate about creative leadership, brand strategy, innovation and building high-performing creative teams.