Stephen undertook his medical training at the University of Bristol, qualifying in 1987.  He initially trained in general surgery and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1992.  He then specialised in ENT Surgery and trained at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in London and at hospitals in the South West of England.  He became a Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Bristol and was awarded a prestigious national research prize for his study into the genetics of sinus disease.  He was invited to present this work to a number of international conferences in Europe and America.

In 1999 he was awarded the prestigious Clinical Surgery Fellowship at the University of Toronto, Canada where he learned advanced surgical techniques in the field of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery. He was also a Visiting Fellow in at the Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York and at the MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas.  In 2000 he became a Consultant Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol where he was responsible for the teaching of medical students and for the ENT research programme at the University.  In 2002 he joined the ENT department at Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals where he continues to practice.

In his NHS practice he undertakes general ENT clinics, a Children's ENT clinic and a Neck Lump clinic.  He is a core member of the Thyroid and Head and Neck Cancer teams and is the Lead for Head & Neck Surgery for his hospital trust.  He is also the Lead for Clinical Governance and Quality Assurance for ENT at Wexham Park Hospital.  Stephen remains actively involved in teaching and training and is the Tutor for ENT in his department.  He is the founder and faculty member of the Sinus Surgery Course for trainee surgeons in Bristol.   He is married with three children and in his spare time he enjoys golf and skiing.