Stephen and her job-share partner Emma Lindsell lead the strategy, performance, analysis and communications group within UKRI. This brings together the seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK with a five-year strategy, published in March 2022, to sustain UK’s world-class research and innovation system, fuel an innovation-led economy and society and drive up prosperity across the UK. Stephen took up the role in August 2019 following a 20-year career as a civil servant, including leading teams within Department of Work & Pensions and as the housing supply director within the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.