Steve has advocated LGBT+ rights since arriving at Kings College London to study law in 1988. He was involved in the campaigning against Section 28, and for an equal age of consent. Steve and his husband were one of the couples used by the government to model the Civil Partnership Bill.

His advocacy for LGBT rights has expanded into other areas. For his ‘milestone’ birthday, Steve set up the 50 fund where friends and colleagues joined Steve in donating for initiatives in Southern Africa, including changing legislation and the funding of women’s refuges in Cape Town.

Steve’s ethos is that businesses have a bigger part to play in advocacy and have the power to effect real change. Thus Emerald Life continues to work for change in the insurance sector, and even the Rooddog dog walking business donates part of its profits to animal charities as well as organising charity drives, such as food, blankets and toys for the dogs of homeless people in Brighton.