Hi, I'm Stephen

Over the years, I've worn many hats and collected various labels along the way: husband, engineer, senior manager, head of product development, techie, vegetarian, runner, yogi, PCC-credentialed coach, member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), former board member of ICF Ireland, coaching supervisor, coach mentor, and coach trainer. There are many more… but hopefully, that's starting to give you a flavour!

Based in Ireland, I have the privilege of working with leaders across Europe and beyond - especially those in high-stakes, intellectually demanding fields. I'm passionate about helping leaders, particularly in the tech world, to become resilient, empathetic, and effective.

You might be wondering if I'm the right coach for you. The best way to find out is by scheduling a no-pressure call. This isn't a sales pitch - I hate those too. It's simply a conversation where we can talk and see what emerges. If you'd prefer to know more about me first, read on.

Here's a quick snapshot of my journey, which spans a love for technology, yoga, running, losing 140lbs, holding senior positions in various companies, and of course, becoming a coach. Like many people, I've chased dreams, faced challenges, and experienced triumphs and regrets.

I grew up in Portrush, a little seaside town on the north coast of Northern Ireland, not far from the Giant's Causeway. In 2003, I moved to Dublin, where I now live with my wife Sinéad and our yellow labrador, Clara. I still cherish those trips back home to visit friends and family.

My love for technology started young, influenced by my dad. I spent my childhood taking apart computers and electronics, figuring out how things worked. As a teenager, I immersed myself in theatre, building scenery, designing sound systems, and even performing. This love for live theatre eventually led me to meet my wife, Sinéad… more on that in moment.

Along the way, I picked up the saxophone and joined a swing band (we had a blast while it lasted!). Around the same time, I started my professional career after graduating with a degree in Electronics from the University of Ulster. After working for a small company in Belfast, I joined Nortel, a global telecom company. I loved working in product development, being part of a strong team, and the camaraderie of hockey and rock climbing with colleagues. Unfortunately, after several rounds of layoffs, I was made redundant in 2002. That led me to Dublin, where, through my love and involvement in musical theatre, I met Sinéad while working on Guys & Dolls.

In Dublin, I joined another multinational technology company and learned many lessons in leadership—especially how not to manage people. Three years later, I transitioned to an Irish multinational, S3 Group, where I climbed the ladder and became Head of Engineering. The role came with long hours and a steep learning curve. No one had prepared me to lead people, so I had to figure it out on my own and as I went along.

Following my dad's passing in 2010, I realised it was time to take better care of myself. This began a personal transformation that saw me lose 140lbs, run the Dublin Marathon three times, and even complete a 40-mile ultramarathon. I went from struggling to run a mile to clocking a marathon PB of 3 hours and 23 minutes. I also found balance through yoga and mindfulness, discovering how slowing down could be just as valuable as pushing forward.

In 2012, I went back to school, completing a Post Graduate Diploma and Masters in Technology and Innovation Management at the Dublin Institute of Technology. In 2015, our business unit was acquired by Accenture, and I helped integrate our teams into this global powerhouse - it was a fascinating experience, to say the least.

As a passionate learning junkie, I firmly believe in investing in my own personal and professional development. Here is a sample of the training I've undertaken. And as a passionate reader, you'll usually find me devouring books on coaching, psychology, philosophy and more!