From Cleaning Floors to Shaping an Industry

Stuart Bellew’s 33-Year Journey in Facilities Management

Based on an interview with FM Director magazine, August 2025

When you talk to Stuart Bellew, one thing becomes clear very quickly — this is someone who’s never been afraid to roll up his sleeves. With over three decades in the facilities management (FM) industry, Stuart’s journey from running his own cleaning business to becoming one of Q3’s most experienced leaders is a story of determination, growth, and genuine passion for people.

A Career Built on Hard Work and Vision
Stuart began his career at the sharp end of the cleaning industry, when he returned from a six-month period in California and started working in a local pub. A chance chat with one of the locals, Simon Dowie, who ran a cleaning company, led to some casual work and from there quickly on to bigger things. When Simon wanted to bow out, Stuart ended up buying Hampshire Office Cleaners – and the rest was history.

“You learn fast when it’s your name above the door,” he says. “You’re the cleaner, the planner, the accountant — and you quickly understand what good service really means. If someone didn’t turn up, I would go out myself and and make sure that when the client turned up in the morning, the job was done.”

That grounding in hands-on delivery laid the foundation for a £400,000 business employing over 100 people and ultimately the springboard for an exceptional corporate career with well-known industry names such as Sodexo, OCS and Mitie, spanning more than 25 years.

Stuart played a pivotal role in the early days of Mitie, helping to grow the business from start-up stage to be a market leader, where he managed a cleaning portfolio worth £270 million. The client list was extremely impressive, including Tesco, Lloyds Banking Group, Amazon, Wembley Stadium, the Royal Opera House and Buckingham Place.

“Winning the Buckingham Palace contract was a career highlight!” he says. “During a presentation when I was explaining our mobilisation plan, the band struck up outside, announcing the Changing of the Guard!”

Leading by Example
At Q3, Stuart’s approach is refreshingly simple: take accountability, stay close to the client, and never lose sight of the people delivering the service. “Senior leaders should be in front of clients from day one and stay visible throughout the contract.” he says. “It’s about partnership, not paperwork.”

As a problem-solver, Stuart is known for raising standards through honesty, transparency, innovation, and expertise – qualities that have become hallmarks of Q3’s culture.

The Q3 Way
Stuart is quick to point out that Q3’s success isn’t just about systems or numbers — it’s about people. “We live and breathe the values we started with,” he explains. “Treating everyone with respect and integrity, doing the right thing, and helping our teams grow.”

That people-focused ethos runs deep. Q3 is a proud Living Wage Service Provider, with a strong focus on social value through partnerships like Maximus Employability — helping disadvantaged people into meaningful work. The company actively promotes from within, with success stories such as Lian, Lucy, Fabio, Joe, Ferhat, and Lewis reflecting a genuine commitment to career development.

Employee wellbeing is equally important, supported by initiatives like Daisy and a range of training and development programmes — from apprenticeships to professional qualifications such as PRINCE2, IOSH, and IWFM. “We make sure everyone has the knowledge and tools to do their job well,” says Stuart. “And when someone shows initiative, we open doors for them.”

A Legacy of Leadership
After 33 years in FM, Stuart still talks about the industry with the enthusiasm of someone just starting out. “Facilities management is about people and places — if you get those right, everything else follows,” he says.

It’s that mix of passion, accountability, and wisdom that makes Stuart Bellew not just a respected leader at Q3, but a shining example of what’s possible when you combine experience with integrity – and never stop learning.