Born in Hawkes Bay, Stuart originally trained as a stock and station agent, he managed travel agencies for eight years and then travelled overseas. Once back in New Zealand he worked in wholesale, retail and corporate travel before following his passion for marketing, studying business administration at Victoria University. He then opened a business consultancy in Wellington specialising in professional service providers.

Chasing a lifestyle change KML was relocated to Nelson in 1999. Stuart then led the Matthews Eyewear Eyecare group for seven years before returning to self employment For the past eight years, he has operated a niche business consultancy for the optics and ophthalmic industry which is where he developed a passion for business brokering having facilitated the sale of dozens of optometry practices across the country. In 2017 Stuart joined the Bayleys Commercial team as a Business Broker to expand his portfolio and focus more on the Nelson Tasman region.

Outside of work Stuart enjoys the adventure that is called parenting, fine art, tramping, motorcycling and near any other sport, he is also a prolific reader. Stuart is also the managing director of Showcase Nelson, who are looking to bring international concerts to the region. "I've been around the sun enough times to know that clients will measure me on my ability to deliver results. When it is all drilled back, life is a journey, nothing is ever wasted. I like doing good work, with and for, good people”