Stefan - An introduction
A few words on who I am, and what shapes how I work.
Hello - I’m Stefan.
Thank you for connecting (or for taking a moment to view my profile).
I thought I’d introduce myself briefly
This is the first in a short three-part series - an introduction, a reflection on how I help, and a space for you.
I’m a father, son, brother, and lifelong student of what it means to move beyond leading well into stewardship – especially when the work is complex, personal, or bigger than the person holding it. My work sits at the intersection of identity, systems, and stewardship – shaped as much by lived experience as by theory.
I spent my formative years in financial services, culminating in overseeing roughly a third of the UK for Santander across business and personal banking. It was high-stakes, high-pressure work, and it taught me a lot about decision-making, risk, and what happens to people inside systems when clarity, care, or pacing is lost.
Later, I stepped out of that world to build something very different – an award-winning coffee house that became a gathering place for conversation, creativity, and care. Alongside that, I’ve been a musician, a former art gallery and shared-workspace founder, and a lifelong student of form and craft. Those experiences all ask the same question:
Can you hold complexity without losing soul?
For the past two decades, I’ve worked with leaders, teams, and organisations across public, private, and charity sectors – helping them navigate change, complexity, and impact when certainty is rare. Most challenges, I’ve found, aren’t technical. They’re human. They’re systemic. And they often shape identity.
I now live on the Isle of Wight, and outside work, endurance cycling, creative practice, and community life keep teaching me about pacing, resilience, and sustaining effort over time.
If you’d like to know more about I can help leaders, teams and organisations you can read part two here HERE and if some reflective questions on your role, stewardship and impact for more ‘up your street’, you can read Part 3 HERE.
Open to a conversation - no agenda, no obligation - about the space you’re operating in, feel free to reach out at stefan@stefanpowell.co.uk
I’d love to speak with you.
Enjoyed reading this? Consider doing one of these:
Get in touch - If any of this topic resonated with you and you have something you’d like to share with me or if you’d like to discuss working with me on this topic - stefan@stefanpowell.co.uk works really well for me.
Read more about how I help individuals, teams and organisations here
Book an inquisitive session with me to find out more about what I do and how I do it or run a challenge or thought you have passed me.
Connect with me on linked in and read my long form posts on the rotating topics of Work, Rest. Play, Sustenance and Love every Thursday
Sign up to my newsletter ‘Be The Waves” here - which collates each weeks long form post on a monthly basis and you’ll get to read it later in the month
Follow me on strava.