Stephen Bates is Managing Director, UK at Research In Motion (RIM). Stephen directs RIM's UK business including corporate strategy, business development, marketing, and sales, and has overall responsibility for the UK’s eight million BlackBerry users.

Since taking over the UK management team in July 2010, Stephen has overseen a number of new product launches, most recently the BlackBerry PlayBook and the BlackBerry 7 operating system. Shipments of BlackBerry smartphones continue to lead the UK market under his direction*. Stephen regularly commentates on the technology space, and frequently speaks at conferences and in the media.

Prior to joining RIM in January 2009, Stephen was Vice President, Carrier Sales for Benelux and Nordics, Nortel Networks. In this role he led business in the region with a focus on Carrier Ethernet, Mobile and VoIP solutions. Before this Stephen held various leadership roles including Vice President, Cable & Wireless account (Nortel Networks) and Director of 3G Radio Business into Vodafone Global account with experience of leading teams across UK, Caribbean and Europe. Stephen re-joined Nortel Networks in 2003 after spending 3 years with Juniper Networks.

Stephen is a keen supporter of charities, and a champion of access to quality education for all. He is a member of the Technology Leadership Group of the Prince’s Trust where along with his fellow members he works to generate funds, support and awareness to reduce the number of young people facing long term unemployment. Stephen is also an active participant in student activities that take place at RIM, giving talks to inspire young people into future careers in the Technology sector.

Stephen holds an Electrical & Electronic Engineering Degree from Strathclyde University, Glasgow and a Diploma in Marketing from Coventry Polytechnic.