Brought up on a Yorkshire Dales mixed farm Stuart has worked for more than 40 years as an agricultural economist with a career spanning lecturing, research and consultancy most recently as Director of Economic Services for Quality Meat Scotland from which he retired in 2022 .Throughout his career he has had a particular interest in agricultural markets and the agricultural and environmental policies affecting the farm business operating environment.  He has worked as an advisor and consultant to many organisations including to the European Commission, on EU accession and EU sheep industry policy, as well as devolved administrations and businesses and organisations in the red meat supply chain. Stuart now works as an independent consultant.