Stu is recognised as a leading figure in the economic development of the Solent and maritime industry across the region. His role as Executive Director for The Solent Cluster sees him working alongside the initiative’s other founding members, sitting on the management team and board of directors, with responsibility for championing and promoting its objectives, advancing collaboration between the Cluster’s members and supporting its priorities on a regional and national level.

Having worked at the hugely successful Solent Local Enterprise Partnership since 2013, Stu combines his role at The Solent Cluster with being an Executive Director at Solent Partners (which provides the business voice and strategic economic planning function for the Solent) and Managing Director of Maritime UK Solent (a private sector-led representative body for the Solent's world-leading maritime sector).

Stu’s roles across all three organisations share a number of common goals; encouraging investment, supporting businesses, driving innovation, pioneering clean and green technology, and developing a talent base for the future.