Stuart has worked for the last 18 years in the HE sector as a professional trainer and consultant, specialising in the areas of Communication and Leadership skills development.

He is a Key Associate of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, supporting bespoke programmes, the Small Development Projects applied research, and is the LFHE Regional Co-ordinator for the North West of England and Northern Ireland.

Until 2005 Stuart was working as the Management Development Manager at the University of Central Lancashire. At the University, he was the project leader for a series of major cultural, leadership and organisational change programmes.

Prior to his work at the University, Stuart spent time as a freelance training consultant, and in his early career has worked in both local government and the voluntary housing sector as a training officer.