Steven Kirby

Steven Kirby is a transformational safety culture specialist, renowned mental health speaker and founder of SKLifeCoachUK, known for reshaping how organisations approach leadership, wellbeing and workplace safety. With a powerful combination of lived experience and practical frameworks, Steven challenges traditional compliance-led safety models and replaces them with a human-centred approach built on care, connection and psychological safety. His work has positioned him as a trusted voice for organisations seeking to improve both performance and people outcomes, making him a highly sought-after motivational speaker across the UK.

Steven’s journey began on a council estate in Hull, where he left school without GCSEs or formal qualifications but carried a strong determination to build a better future. He spent two decades working in construction, starting as a labourer before progressing to an excavator operator and eventually a site supervisor. During this time, he experienced a serious workplace injury that became a turning point in his life. While recovering physically, Steven faced a deeper battle with his mental health, experiencing depression, anxiety and PTSD. Confronting the psychological strain, loss of identity and stigma surrounding mental health in high-risk industries, he reached a critical moment that forced him to reassess his path. This led to the creation of SKLifeCoachUK, a platform dedicated to improving mental wellbeing, strengthening leadership and fostering healthier, more connected workplaces.

As a trailblazer in mental health within hazard-prone industries, Steven has worked with major organisations including Network Rail, Balfour Beatty and Anglian Water. His insights and advocacy have also been recognised in publications such as Zenith Journal and Construction Briefing, further cementing his reputation as an influential voice in safety culture and leadership. Through these platforms, he continues to raise awareness of the human impact behind workplace safety and performance.

Steven is hired as a motivational speaker because he delivers far more than inspiration. His talks combine raw, authentic storytelling with practical, actionable strategies that leaders and teams can implement immediately. He equips audiences to recognise early signs of mental strain, make better risk-based decisions and build cultures rooted in trust, empathy and open communication. By bridging the gap between safety, mental health and leadership, Steven empowers organisations to reduce harm, enhance wellbeing and unlock sustainable performance, making his message both impactful and commercially valuable.