Dr Stephen Clarke is a history graduate of the University of Otago and the University of New South Wales. His long-time interest has been the social and cultural impact of war on New Zealand society with expertise in the observance of Anzac Day. After two years as Historian with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Dr Clarke joined the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association in 2001 to work on national projects and later public relations. As Chief Executive he led the strategic transformation and rebrand of the RSA between 2008 and 2013. This was followed by a year at the Royal British Legion in London, where as the first Head of Remembrance he oversaw the start of the First World War Centenary programme. He is an independent historian and founding director of Making History Ltd.