Speaker module

Steve studied business at the University of British Columbia before accepting a Junior Executive role at the Hudson’s Bay Company, then Canada’s largest retailer. After successful stints in both customer-facing and head-office positions, his entrepreneurial instincts prevailed, and he went into business for himself. He launched Cheapskates Quality Sporting Goods in North Bay with a view to business success, but also to making a positive contribution to the community by promoting sustainable transportation and recreation, providing youth employment opportunities and campaigning for improved public recreation facilities.

In 2005, Steve graduated from Imperial College London’s highly regarded MSc in Environmental Technology programme completing the Business and the Environment specialisation with distinction. In addition to a core programme on environmental topics, the course explored the interface of business, government, and the environment with particular emphasis on sustainable development. His dissertation explored Corporate Responsibility and its applicability to smaller companies and government’s role in promoting it.

Steve joined the International Business Leaders Forum in May 2006 and contributed to a very wide range of projects including: developing a sustainable operating plan for an Ethiopian computer refurbishment and de-manufacturing centre; launching responsible business networks in Sudan and Tanzania; organising a series of business roundtables in Africa to address challenges and opportunities around water public policy; providing content and editing support for IBLF publications on business and human rights, inclusive business and social enterprise; internet-based qualitative research examining the implications of global warming and climate change mitigation policy options for the Tourism industry; and the creation of the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate's Water Action Hub.

Steve also led the Secretariat Unit within IBLF. In this role he was the Focal Point for both the UN Global Compact in the UK and the Private Sector Constituency of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership providing professional programme implementation, efficient administrative support and strategic advice to these initiatives. 

Since 2015, Steve has been Executive Director of the Global Compact Network UK. The Global Compact is the UN’s corporate sustainability initiative. It calls upon participants to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. The UK Network coordinates UN Global Compact activity for 900 UK-based member organisations. 

The Network facilitates learning, knowledge exchange, and networking while promoting the UN Global Compact Principles and advocating for business engagement in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He has Chaired the UN Global Compact’s Regional Network Council for Western Europe and the UN Global Compact’s Global Network Council.

He has also been a member of the UN Global Compact Board, which is Chaired by the UN Secretary-General.