Stuart graduated BA English from University College, London in 1980. After working with a number of real estate agencies including respected London firm Chesterton, he became acquisitions and sales director for developer Berkeley House plc in 1986 and then with private investor/developer, Manywell Heights Limited, 1987-95.

Since forming Blackfriars with Malory Clifford in 1995, Stuart has brought to bear his twenty years of experience to concentrate on the acquisition of investment, and more especially, development opportunities in London and the South East. His responsibilities also include asset management and enhancement, forming and controlling project teams of out-sourced professional firms to achieve planning consent, and directing letting and sales campaigns.

In 2004 Stuart also took responsibility for overseeing Mermaid Conference and Events Limited at the former Mermaid Theatre at Puddle Dock. Having invested well over £1M in the facility in the last year, Blackfriars aims to double the turnover of this business in the next eighteen months so as to ensure its investment in the property asset is maximized during a difficult phase in the commercial office market. By achieving such a turnover, profit from this business will provide a viable alternative to redevelopment and enhance the value of the property.