Welcome to Stephen King Consultancy
Building Better Boards, Better Business and Better People
I work with boards and senior leaders to make sense of complex situations, strengthen governance and strategy, and make better decisions.
My work spans governance reviews, business and place-based strategy, education and skills (including academic teaching), senior-level mentoring, and selected transport strategy work.
Building Better Boards
Boards bring me in when they want stronger governance, better quality discussion, and greater confidence in their decision making.
I work with Chairs, board members and senior executives to strengthen board effectiveness, sharpen strategic focus and ensure governance supports, rather than constrains, good leadership and delivery.
My approach is grounded in lived board experience, combining independent challenge with practical insight into how boards actually operate, particularly in complex or high scrutiny environments.
Typical engagements include:
- Board Governance and Effectiveness Reviews
- Chair, Board and Executive Mentoring
- Strategic Board Development and Facilitation
- Interim Chair, Executive and Non-Executive Roles
What people say about me…
“Working with Stephen has really added strength to our board. His enthusiasm and commitment to driving positive change, combined with an ability to bring people together has significantly enhanced our discussions and strengthened our decision making.”
Building Better Business
I work with organisations that need greater clarity, alignment and momentum, particularly where strategy, delivery and stakeholders matter.
This often includes organisations operating in complex or publicly visible environments, where commercial, political and social considerations are in play.
I support senior teams to sharpen strategic direction, strengthen leadership and partnerships, and translate intent into delivery, always with a focus on long-term value rather than short-term fixes.
Typical engagements include:
- Business and Organisational Strategy Reviews
- Place-Based, Transport and Connectivity Strategy
- Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communications
- ESG Strategy, Governance and Narrative
- Interim Leadership, Advisory and Programme Roles
What people say about me…
“Stephen is a natural collaborator and a pleasure to work with. He brings a strong mix of creativity, business insight, and a deep understanding of values and purpose, enabling him to identify imaginative opportunities for partnership working. Strategic yet practical in his approach, he follows through and works with you to take projects from concept to completion.”
Building Better People
Much of my work focuses on supporting senior leaders to lead with confidence, judgement and purpose, creating space for reflection as well as action.
I work with Chairs, CEOs, executives and senior leadership teams in demanding, visible or high-scrutiny roles, helping individuals think clearly, navigate complexity and lead others with credibility and assurance.
Alongside my advisory and mentoring work, I also teach and facilitate in higher and further education, bringing academic rigour together with real-world experience.
Typical engagements include:
- Executive and Leadership Mentoring
- Chair and Board Member Development
- Senior Team Development and Facilitation
- Academic teaching and tutoring in leadership, people management, governance and strategy across higher and further education
What people say about me…
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the wonderful session you led on. Your expertise and support were invaluable, and I appreciated the insights and knowledge you shared. Your preparation and attention to detail were evident throughout the session.”
About me
“Hello, I am Stephen King”
I am a Chair, board level adviser and consultant with over 20 years’ experience supporting organisations and leaders working in complex, publicly visible and high accountability settings.
I support boards and senior teams to make sense of difficult situations, strengthen how they govern and lead, and make confident, well-judged decisions, particularly during periods of change, scrutiny or uncertainty.
Alongside my consultancy and board work, I am actively involved in higher and further education. I am an academic tutor in people management and leadership at the University of Sunderland Business School, have taught on MBA programmes at Teesside University Business School, and also teach business in further education. Teaching keeps my thinking sharp and brings rigour into my advisory and mentoring work, helping me balance reflection with practical application.
My background includes senior commercial and leadership roles in large, complex organisations, alongside extensive work with public bodies, education institutions, charities and place-based partnerships. I am often asked to support work where judgement, trust and discretion matter, particularly when relationships are as important as structures.
My style is collaborative, calm and values-led. I work proportionately, avoid unnecessary complexity, and focus on what will make the biggest difference.
I’m interested in helping people think clearly and act confidently, not in applying generic solutions.