Stuart Page is a modern-day business leader and prolific entrepreneur, a true gentleman with values from the older days of chivalry. Growing up in Australia, he discovered how you must value nature and exploring the diversity of Australia’s landscape and its heritage and its original owners of the land. Not endeared to the typical university-directed path that most youth pursue; Stuart joined the military where he began a career as a soldier.
As a soldier, deployed to some of the most challenging regions in the world, Stuart built a deep understanding of the value of people in difficult situations – people who struggle to build a life living in circumstances they themselves did nothing to create, carrying out his duties, but infusing an empathy and tolerance that would distinguish him well as a leader. Spending time in challenging environments around the world with the intelligence service that helped Stuart build and refine problem-solving skills, ultimately allowing him to enter the diplomatic corps.
The Roots
Through his experiences as both a soldier, intelligence officer and a Diplomat, Stuart Page cultivated the mindset that who we are doesn’t define us, rather, it’s who we want to be and the effort and conviction that we attach to this goal, hence Stuart decided to attend University, going to night school while in the Army to cultivate the ability to understand business and formulate solutions in order to be able to make an impact around the world. To this day, as a business leader, he espouses that the successful business of the future must now have a conscience.
One of many extraordinary experiences playing a role in the development of Stuart’s mindset for leadership occurred when he was in the Army going to Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, where there had been a civil war raging this beautiful, resource-rich island for over a decade, with estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people dead. He arrived as a part of peacekeeping force, allowing the island to begin to take the steps toward recovery after years of devastation and death.
Stuart spent many days visiting villages, appreciating the resiliency of the people and their positive outlook for the unity of their nation. The positive mindset of the people who had lived through so much tragedy inspired. After the impacts of World War II on their island, followed by a decade of civil war, Stuart was humbled by the endurance and spirit of the people – their strength the generosity, hospitality and kindness they extended to him, left an indelible mark Stuart. He admits that at times, he wasn’t sure what he was eating, unwilling to question or ask our of concern for offending their generosity, but the sheer camaraderie of the experience, the stories they shared, and their mutual hope for a better future, allowed them to form a bond of friendship and mutual respect. They were/are wonderful people with little money, but big hearts, unwavering pride and great strength.
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The Growth
During his time as a Senior Executive (Assistant Secretary) Diplomat in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Stuart worked in the Department of Defence and served in the Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet working under Prime Minister John Howard and even as expert for the British Foreign Commonwealth Office. A renowned expert in global intelligence, international affairs and security, diplomatic security, military service (Australia and British Army), and the United Nations, Stuart’s many positions have taken him to places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia, China, Libya, and Africa, to name a few. These experiences have afforded him a good understanding of the art of teamwork, the need to be flexible and resilient, and the importance of being able to make decisions under pressure.
Another moment helping to define Stuart’s business ethos happened while he was working at the Prime Minister and Cabinet for the Prime Minister John Howard. Hosting a gathering of world leaders in Sydney for APEC, one of the largest gatherings with world leaders on significant global topics such as economics and international relations, he learned the importance of being fully present in the moment. Being charged with arranging and overseeing all details for the occasion, he was reminded that occasionally, you are thrown a curve ball. A significant curve ball. Early in the morning, Stuart got a call from the USA delegation that the President of USA (George W. Bush) had a special request. President Bush wanted to go mountain biking in the Australian bush.
Not one to question and understanding very well why the President would want to see the majesty of the bush, Stuart arranged a police and security detail of Australian policemen who were fit enough to keep up. President Bush enjoyed the ride, was immensely grateful for the efforts involved in the coordination and showed everyone who participated that even as a world leader, he was personable, humble and human – traits sometimes rare in high officials. He appreciated the magnitude of the opportunity to take a quiet, early morning bike ride, and was both kind and thankful to those who made it possible.
A few days later, Stuart was looking for a quiet exit from the many meetings and events of APEC, so taking a short cut out of the event, he ran into President Putin, and speaking with him realized that he, too, was both polite and courteous. Two presidents – leaders of two of the most significant nations on the planet, and both leaders proved to be unexpectedly human, reminding Stuart that we should not always believe everything we are taught to think. We all represent one global community, one collective humanity and ultimately, one earth. We can agree to disagree, but we should at least be able to be courteous and talk about our ideas – and differences at one table, as it is only by coming together that we can find the solutions to our greatest challenges.
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The Highlight
Today Stuart Page is the CEO/Founder of Enigma-Alliance, a U.K., Europe and Africa-based infrastructure development, clean water construction, technology, investment and consulting firm – a true man of the world, leading a company whose impact spans the world. Leading from the heart, recognizing that an effective leader in this transformational century, must be globally-minded, innovative, ethical and altruistic, Stuart has a background as diverse as a New York City subway at rush hour. Believing that businesses of today must have a conscience, all of Stuart’s project around the world are measured for sustainability and impact, rather than simply just for profit.
With a passion for sport, Stuart is a stakeholder in Bath City Football Club. But it is also this passion which led him to be an outspoken and well-regarded advocate for integrity in sports, which is too often tainted by transactions driven by hidden agendas and questionable moral compasses. To this end, Stuart, together with partner and dear friend, Professor Michael (Mike) McNamee, worked to bring to life the world’s first the Masters in Sports Integrity (MAiSI) with scholarships for students from around the world. Stuart and Mike strategized the program for a considerable amount of time, sharing that it was a very long road to success.
They were knocked back by many organizations for funding and support for all the wrong reasons, namely, by people’s ill-informed opinions or lack of insight and understanding. They experienced many failures to launch. Stuart and Mike began to discuss if they should even continue, given how many setbacks they faced. They sat together for a couple of hours and decided that they had an obligation to keep going because sport, community and values needed this program for sports integrity more than any other time, and if they didn’t pioneer this program, nobody would. So, once again they tried again, facing continued knockbacks, until they eventually got a break, receiving funding for about 4 million euros.
Today, the Masters in Sports Integrity (MAiSI) is the leading sports integrity education course in the world, expanding rapidly. As a leading expert in sports integrity, Stuart strongly believes that this is a crucial time to address sports policy, governance and ethics/integrity issues. With sports being the common denominator around the world – a multi-billion-dollar global industry, integrity must be one of the key pillars. The sustainability of the MAiSI program and the future of integrity in the world of sports organizations are essential in keeping the program cemented into sporting culture and actions for the sustainability of the clean and fair sport.
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The Hope
As an ethical and altruistic leader, Stuart Page proudly serves as Vice-Chair of the International Advisory Board for MAiSI, and supports several philanthropic foundations, from PTSD to a street kids’ charity in Tanzania. With corporate social responsibility and ‘giving back’ a primary mandate in all of his business ventures, Stuart serves as long-time board member of the Cheka Sana Foundation, which supports vulnerable and impoverished children in Mwanza, Tanzania, including access to a sports academy.
One of his most cherished experiences has been going to Manzana in Tanzania and seeing hundreds of street children coming onto the makeshift field created by Cheka Sana Foundation for a mini soccer tournament. The first thing they had to do was to make sure the field, which is just a dry piece of land, was clear of rubbish and more importantly, animals. Water buffalo and occasionally other wildlife like snakes, would venture onto this makeshift field. The kids were so happy to participate in this occasion, happily playing, even though most of the youth lived without much of which we take for granted, such as shoes. Many of the kids played barefoot. Even without proper attire, the joy on the faces of these young athletes was priceless. They want to play, remaining on the field all day until the sun sets. Even with very little equipment and lot of enthusiasm, these young people were given a day of happiness and a glimpse at opportunity and hope. It’s the simple gestures and help that give hope to people which return the greatest dividends to the giver.
Stuart is a prolific reader and enjoys delving into new technologies, ideas and developments in innovation across the board. In all of his roles, Stuart has been able to bring ethics and integrity to the table and see these principles applied in practical terms. Prioritizing impact in Africa, Stuart is shaping the future and changing lives, which makes him more than simply a top CEO…it makes him an outstanding global citizen. He believes every day to give something away to help in whatever form it takes. “It’s not about I, it’s about the community.”
