Stephen leads NEREO’s digital services portfolio, overseeing the platforms and systems that thousands of public sector organisations across the North East rely on every day. His work spans North East Jobs, the region’s leading public sector recruitment portal, alongside the online Disclosure and Barring Service, recruitment and information websites, and the development of web-based systems that make public sector HR simpler and more effective. It is a role that sits at the intersection of technology, people and public service, and one that Stephen approaches with genuine enthusiasm for the difference that well-designed digital tools can make to organisations and the communities they serve.
Stephen’s connection to NEREO’s digital services runs deep. He first took on responsibility for North East Jobs in 2009, before the service transferred to NEREO in 2011. He was appointed Technical Manager in 2012 and Digital Services Manager in 2013, building and developing the portfolio over more than a decade before becoming Director of Digital Services and Finance on 1st April 2026. That breadth of experience, spanning over fifteen years of hands-on involvement with the region’s public sector digital infrastructure, gives Stephen a rare depth of knowledge of the systems, the sector and the people he works with.
At the heart of Stephen’s work is a commitment to making recruitment work better for the North East public sector. From the design and development of recruitment processes through to advertising, training and consultancy, he supports member organisations in attracting and retaining the talent they need. North East Jobs remains central to that mission, a platform that connects hundreds of employers with thousands of candidates who want to build careers in public service across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Tees Valley.
Stephen also leads on NEREO’s technical and web-based services, providing practical advice and hands-on support to organisations navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape. Whether that means scoping a new web system, guiding a change management process, or helping a team think through how data and AI can be used responsibly and effectively, Stephen brings a grounded, solutions-focused approach to every conversation. Underpinning all of this is a strong emphasis on rigour and insight, with Stephen’s work on reporting and data analysis helping NEREO and its member organisations make informed decisions, understand performance and demonstrate value.
Stephen is always happy to hear from organisations with questions about North East Jobs, recruitment advertising, DBS enquiries, website and technical queries, project management, training, or anything related to data, AI and digital. If you would like to get in touch, please use the contact details below or reach out directly, he would be glad to help.