Stu (no-one really calls him Stuart), was inspired to write Izzy and the Tumble Thunder after spending three years reading the full Harry Potter series to his own daughter, Izzy, at bedtimes.

He lives near Manchester with his beloved wife Laura and has three children, and two stepchildren.

After growing up in Grimsby, Stu has worked across the north of England in various media roles in a career spanning more than 20 years – from the Grimsby Telegraph to some of the biggest sporting events in the world in a career at BBC Sport.

At BBC Children’s he oversaw the UK’s biggest multi-platform operation for under 12s, leading everything from Newsround, Bedtime Stories and TV and iPlayer for CBeebies and CBBC.

He now runs his own successful media company and has worked with clients such as Chelsea FC, British Cycling, Birmingham 2022 and Sunset & Vine.

A keen runner, Stu has completed several marathons and is huge fan of the Manchester music scene (and beer).