Who is D3?

Stuart is the co-founder of D3, a leadership consultancy built to help senior leaders navigate complexity with clarity, confidence, and connection.

He began his leadership journey in the British Army, serving on operations in the Balkans and leading teams in demanding, high-stakes environments. That experience shaped his belief that great leadership is not about control – it’s about trust, self-awareness, and the ability to lead others through uncertainty.

After leaving the military, Stuart held senior leadership roles across the global insurance and professional services sectors. He has worked with executives, boards, and leadership teams to tackle challenges ranging from cultural alignment and strategic reset to decision-making under pressure.

Through D3, Stuart brings a calm, challenging presence to the room – enabling honest dialogue, sharper thinking, and more human leadership. He founded the business to offer something different: a consultancy grounded in real experience, committed to long-term impact, and focused on helping leaders lead with purpose and presence.

Jo is co-founder of D3 and brings over 20 years of senior HR and leadership experience within the Lloyd’s Market and wider insurance sector.

Having worked at executive level across a wide range of HR challenges – from cultural transformation and leadership development to business restructuring and high-growth scaling – Jo brings both strategic insight and a hands-on, practical mindset. She’s known for cutting through complexity and delivering people-focused solutions that actually work in the real world.

Jo is a natural enabler — trusted by senior leaders for her calm, grounded presence and her ability to make the complex feel manageable.

Samantha is a Leadership and Executive Coach who brings 30 years of senior executive experience in financial services, including C-Suite roles across underwriting, strategic governance and organisational leadership in the insurance industry.

With a career that has taken her from the boardroom to the coaching room, Samantha knows firsthand what it takes to lead at the highest level. Having served as Chief Executive, Chief Underwriting Officer and Board Director, she brings real-world insight that no textbook can teach – and a genuine ability to meet people where they are, at every stage of their career journey.

Samantha is a natural connector — trusted for her warmth, integrity and calm presence. Having built her career from the ground up to the highest levels of leadership – in an industry where senior women are still significantly underrepresented – she brings a perspective that is as hard to teach as it is rare to find.

Kat is an Executive Assistant at D3 Partnership, bringing 20 years of experience in the corporate sector, with a strong background in recruitment, executive support, and operational coordination.

Her career spans both global organisations and independently owned businesses, giving her a well-rounded understanding of organisational culture and the ability to adapt seamlessly across different business environments.

At D3, Kat plays a pivotal role in keeping operations running smoothly, supporting the leadership team, and ensuring every client interaction is delivered with precision, professionalism, and warmth.