Stuart has served with the Queen's Own Highlanders in several tours of Northern Ireland during the Troubles and has seen active service in the 1991 Gulf War and the invasion of Iraq in 2003. He has also completed postings in the MOD's strategic plans department and was a personal lieutenant colonel military assistant to the Chief of the General Staff. He was awarded an OBE for this role in 2005.
He was selected to command the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) in 2005. This included commanding the first UK battle group of 1200 soldiers to be sent to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan in 2006, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
The fighting 3 PARA experienced in Afghanistan has been described as the most intense combat the British Army has witnessed since the Korean War. Fifteen members of the battle group were killed in action and another 46 were wounded. On returning to the UK, Stuart set up the Afghanistan Trust charity in 2007.
Stuart resigned from the Army following promotion to full colonel in 2008 and is currently the global head of security for a major corporate bank. He is also the bank's head of their UK Military Services Network.
Stuart is the founder and Chairman of the trustees of the Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust charity for wounded paratroopers and is the author of the Sunday Times best seller Danger Close.
Stuart is better placed than most to deliver talks that cross the military - business boundary. With his extensive military and now corporate background he is an unrivalled authority on the transition from battlefield to boardroom.
From battlefield to boardroom
"I felt compelled to write - as I'm sure many others have - after listening to Stuart's talk at the Royal Geographic Society. In short, it was excellent. He presented what was a very involved and intricate military (and political) experience with great honesty, eloquence, humility, passion and engaging clarity. .....I can understand why General Mike Jackson tried to persuade you to stay in the military."
Royal Geographic Society"Suffice to say the overwhelming view is that Stuart's speech was fantastic, inspiring, eye-opening, to mention just a few of the superlatives. He really delivered in a most engaging and professional way, having taken care to understand our franchise structure"
Auditel"I must tell you how inspiring the guest speaker - Stuart Tootal was, his passion, dedication and responsibility for his men was crystal clear. He is the true definition of a leade. His speech was so moving that the pictures in my mind were crystal clear and brought me to the edge of tears"
"The comments from attendees included; best speaker on the day, passionate, inspiring, admiration for the difficult decisions you made, definition of a true leader, expanded my knowledge beyond anything the government has told me, admiration for you as a person and a leader, etc."
Barclays Finance"My Chairman and I have heard lots of ex-military speakers, but I have never heard one so good; he takes the audience with him"
Kent Rotary Club"You were erudite, concise, fascinating and inspirational by turn. We came away much moved and deeply inspired."
Trafalgar PartnershipRescue of paratroopers from minefield 'delayed by red tape'
Mistakes have been made in Afghanistan - but it can end succesfully
David Cameron ponders armed forces reservists boost
Wikileaks cables criticise UK military in Afghanistan
Number of British soldiers with mental illness increased by a third, new figures reveal
A dynamic and versatile speaker, Josh is able to draw upon his experience and expertise to give inf…