An expert in supporting people when they are at their most vulnerable, Stephen’s experience in the funeral industry has seen him deployed to events around the world.
A Response Team Specialist, Stephen is one of the leading figures in search, recovery and repatriation, and he brings this knowledge into the classroom to support others.
Through experience and a lengthy career, Steve has learnt much about disaster response. His is a career that deals with the natural human response to incidents.
As well as 22-years' working in the funeral industry, he has worked extensively for response teams for almost 20 years. Having been deployed to events around the world, his involvement has touched all aspects from mortuary operations, family assistance and search and recovery, to senior management roles providing support to clients.
Steve has worked for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in repatriation of the deceased during war from Iraq and Afghanistan, accompanying those who have fallen, home. This has often then included overseeing their funeral services with full military honours.
Alongside his work Steve teaches his practical and emotional skills to groups who wish to become funeral directors. Whatever the subject matter, Steve tries to ensure that he enhances his role in the classroom, taking his teachings outside of textbooks and into real world experiences.
Steve has two mottos that he stands by. “Ultimately, it’s what we bring of ourselves” and also his Scottish family coat of arms "I show, not boast”. In his work whether one to one, or mass casualties, Steve is dealing with people at their most vulnerable and therefore feels it is important to bring out the best of himself and to lead by example.
In his spare time, Steve likes socialising with family and friends. He also enjoys travel, visiting Australia in particular.
Qualifications:
National Examining Board in Supervisory Management, Degree in Death, Dying and Bereavement (Bath University)