Stuart brings unique experience and skills to Diversity, Equal Opportunity and anti-Bullying compliance programs, workplace behaviour risk management and complaint managements systems to KWS clients. Stuart is an Equal Opportunity and workplace conflict specialist with experience and expertise in the high-risk areas of discrimination, unlawful workplace practices, whistleblower programs, inappropriate workplace relationships and organisational culture.
In March 2008 Stuart left the Victoria Police after 30 years service the latter 12 years serving as a senior officer in key managerial positions and change management & OD related programs. His specialist experinece includes two years as Manager and Senior Consultant for the Victoria Police Equity and Diversity Unit. In that role, he developed and managed a range of diversity-focussed organisational change management programs, which included the implementation of a revised statewide complaint management, reduction and education program. He has also supervised statewide complaint investigations and devlopment of workplace risk assessment programs. It was during this period that Stuart developed a keen interest in issues of social justice in the workplace, organisational culture and workplace behaviour.
In 2005 Stuart took leave of absence from Victoria Police to join Diversity @ Work Australia Inc. as their Learning and Development Manager and in February 2006 was appointed its’ CEO. Stuart’s corporate experience is supported by 10 years of consulting to organisations around Australia.
Stuart established KWS five years prior to joining Diversity@work, assisting organisations in responding to legislated vicarious liability requirements. KWS continues to be a leading provider of tailored training & consultancy services. He has developed effective and tailored Equal Opportunity and Workplace Bullying (occupational Violence) compliance training and delivered well over 1000 sessions to both Government and Corporate sector organisations across Australia. Stuart is skilled at providing organisations with cutting-edge conflict resolution, complaint investigations and internal complaint management models along with training and coaching for middle and senior management particularly in response to legislation governing workplace behaviour.
Stuart is one of Australia’s thought leaders on matters relating to diversity, social cohesion, integration and inclusion. He is passionate about advancing Australia’s global position as a unique collection of cultures where difference is celebrated and valued. He is advancing greater discussion and understanding of the imperatives driving workforce planning in a challenging labour market, particularly in terms of organisational sustainability.
Stuart holds a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment as well as educational awards from the Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria in Equal Opportunity, the conduct of anti-discrimination investigations and workplace mediation. Stuart completed the inaugural Monash Mt. Eliza Business School ‘Leading Workplace Diversity’ program and studied a Bachelor of Business (Management) at Monash University.
Stuart’s is a celebrated Diversity speaker and expert whose experience and pragmatic approach is sought after by many organisations throughout Australia and beyond. He is an outspoken advocate of diversity in the context of workforce planning as being the biggest organisational sustainability imperative for business throughout developed economies in the next decade.
Demographic trends, skilled labour shortages and legislative changes all mean that employers need to tap into new and diverse sources of labour to remain sustainable. Attracting, recruiting and retaining people from diverse backgrounds is increasingly becoming a business imperative for all sectors. Well managed diversity and inclusion practices have long been known to improve creativity, enhance morale and build organisational resilience and innovation.
The team of specialists available through KWS has assisted organisations to harness diversity in their workforces for nearly ten years. The team has practical experience covering all areas of diversity practice and modeling. KWS provides a range of interrelated consultancy services.
Professional Affiliations
- Member Australian Institute of Management
- Member Australian Human Resources Institute
- Past member of the Institute of Public Administration in Australia
- Past member of Industry Advisory Group to RMIT, Criminal Justice Services
- Member of Industry Advisory Group to Vocation Australia, Social Services
- Member of “Leading Workplace Diversity” Alumni, Mt Eliza Business School
- Past Member of the Victoria Police and the Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria working group on gay & lesbian issues
- Past member of the Australia & New Zealand Equal Opportunity Committee
Stuart’s other interests include motor racing and wine appreciation, hasn’t found the perfect red!
