Steven qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1987 with Deloitte Haskins & Sells. After working in the United States of America from 1988 to 1990, Steven worked as an audit manager and consultant for Coopers & Lybrand specialising in telecommunications.

Steven joined Tufton Oceanic Limited, a financial services boutique specialising in the shipping and offshore industries in 1994 as group financial controller and Company Secretary, where his role also included compliance. Following his graduation from London Business School with an Executive MBA in December2000, Steven became Finance Director and Compliance Officer, with responsibility for IT and human resources.

In December 2002 Steven took on the additional responsibility for all the financial and secretarial aspects of Global Marine Security Systems Company, a new maritime security joint venture, including drafting shareholder agreements and other foundation documentation.