Steven Kirby is a transformational safety culture specialist, mental health speaker & the founder of SKLifeCoachUK, enhancing human-centred leadership and wellbeing of organisations across the UK. Combining lived experience and practical frameworks, Steven is changing the conversation around safety compliance to one built around care, connection and psychological safety.
Hailing from a council estate in Hull with no GCSEs, no qualifications, and no roadmap, Steven had a strong determination and resilience to work. He would go on to spend the next two decades gaining first-hand experience in the world of construction, beginning as a labourer before progressing to an excavator operator and then site supervisor. Whilst continuing this path, Steven suffered a serious workplace injury that altered the course of his entire life. Despite struggling with the pain of physical recovery, Steven realised he was facing something much more challenging: the deterioration of his mental health. Falling deeper into the darkness of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, Steven’s mental well-being crisis nearly cost him his life after having to confront the realities of the psychological strain, loss of identity and silence that surrounds the topic of mental health in such high-risk industries. Following this life-changing shift, Steven founded SKLifeCoachUK, a life-coaching and mental health service aiming to boost productivity and strengthen relationships between leaders and teams.
A trail-blazing figure in the world of mental health in hazard-prone industries, Steven has delivered talks to high-profile organisations such as Network Rail, Balfour Beatty, Anglian Water and more. With an incredible story of resilience, mindset, and transformation, he has also been featured by various media outlets like Zenith Journal and Construction Briefing.
Using a unique blend of rooted storytelling, practical tools, and actionable guidance to engage audiences, Steven has established himself as a leading authority in safety culture through his deeply human leadership coaching. Offering keynotes, workshops and teaching sessions, he helps both businesses and individuals recognise the early signs of mental strain, find clarity in risk decision-making, and develop clear communication, empathy and confidence within teams, all to reduce harm, improve wellbeing, and create supportive, safe environments.
Steven Kirby's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Transforming Safety Culture: Moving From Box‑Ticking to Human-Centred Leadership
- The Psychology of Safety: Understanding Why People Take Risks
- Mental Wellbeing in High‑Pressure Environments
- Post‑Incident Support: What People Need After the Worst Day of Their Lives
- Resilience and Recovery After Trauma
- Leading with Empathy: The New Standard for Modern Leadership.
Official Feedback From In-Person & Virtual Events
"Steve has supported the project since the start of 2021 on a monthly basis by sharing his story to our staff and delivery teams onsite. A great person to have on your project to support your project teams and staff! Thanks for your continued support!" - Pritesh, Costain Group PLC, Head of Engineering
"Steven was very engaging and the operatives on site were fully engrossed with his talk. Talking openly about his own struggles with his mental health really resonated with the teams with some of them making contact and thanking Steven for helping them open up about their own issues. We are now in a position to help those individuals seek the attention they require which is great. Steven is passionate about his work and this comes across in his talk which is open and honest." - Mark, ISG PLC
"Highly recommend Steve and his story to any organisation that is looking to promote behavioural safety and are looking to positively change some of the mindsets of people that may use the term “it’ll be alright’ too often whilst working around significant hazards. A gripping session and well worth the time that we took out of the working day to receive Steve’s story. A pleasure to meet and work with Steve who is so relatable to the teams in our industry." - Gavin, Public Sewer Services, HSEQ Manager
"We had Steve attend our annual ‘Back To Work’ presentations where we listened to him talk to us about his workplace accident, the impact it had on him and those close to him, and the valuable work he does to help others. This was one of the best, most relatable, and relevant speeches I’ve ever heard during my time working in HSE and I couldn’t recommend him highly enough. The feedback from our workforce, both blue and white collar, and from our client has been brilliant. All found Steve very honest, personable, and relatable. They felt like it was a work colleague talking to them, this is not something that is easy to do. Many thanks, Steve and we look forward to working with you again in the future 10/10 from us!" - Kevin, HSE Manager, One Aim
"I highly recommend Steve. He has shared his story with over 500 men on two of our sites, creating a powerful impact by bringing mental health & behavioural safety to the forefront of people’s minds. Through his openness, he reinforces the important message that it’s okay to reach out and talk when you need support." - Mark, Labour Manager, Tunnel Craft
- 2026 – Speaker for Anglian Water’s One Alliance Event
- 2026 – Featured by Zenith Journal
- 2026 – Featured on the Built 4 Us Podcast
- 2025 – Began Writing Blogs for SKLifeCoachUK
- 2019 – Founded SKLifeCoachUK Ltd
How to hire Steven Kirby
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Steven Kirby for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
