Fri 17th Nov 2023 - Ian Payne to step down as Stonegate chairman after announcing his retirement Ian Payne to step down as Stonegate chairman after announcing his retirement: Ian Payne MBE will step down as chairman of Stonegate, the UK’s largest pub group, after announcing his retirement. The 70-year-old has informed the board of his decision to retire at the end of January 2024 and step down from his role with the group after 13 years. Payne has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the licensed trade over the past 50 years. He managed his first pub in 1973 before rising through the ranks at Whitbread, Guinness and Bass Taverns. He led the buyout of the majority of the Whitbread pub business as chief executive of Laurel Pub Company before becoming chairman of Bay Restaurant Group and the Town and City Pub Company. He then founded Stonegate with the acquisition of 333 pubs and bars from Mitchells & Butlers in 2010. He helped grow it into the largest pub company in the UK, employing 16,000 people across an estate of 4,500 pubs and bars. He has mentored countless aspirational people up and down the country and served as a champion for the millions of jobs that the sector supports across the UK economy. His contribution to the hospitality industry was recognised in 2018 when he was appointed a Member of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, to sit alongside his numerous industry awards. The company said Payne has “personally stewarded Stonegate through one of the most tumultuous economic environments for decades”, including leading the group through “over a dozen acquisitions, Brexit, the covid lockdowns and the recent inflationary environment.” Payne said: “Leading Stonegate has been the greatest privilege in my long career. I love pubs and bars and the great people that work in them. There are so many talented individuals in the hospitality industry, and I have always tried to help people build successful careers in the licensed trade. As I reflect on the challenges that I have faced over the past 50 years, I am filled with hope and excitement for the future. Pubs and bars have always been an integral part of what makes our country unique and the fundamental need to meet, eat, drink, and socialise will always be a part of us.” David McDowall, chief executive of Stonegate Pub Group, said: “Ian has been an inspiration to us all during his long and distinguished career. I would like to personally thank him not only for the support and guidance he has given me since becoming chief executive, but also for the role he has played in the careers of so many people over the last 50 years. He has been a true champion of our industry. He retires with our deepest thanks and best wishes. I look forward to toasting his retirement in due course.” Brian Magnus, Partner at TDR Capital, which backs Stonegate, added: “It has been a delight to work with Ian from the day he brought us the Stonegate opportunity. He is both a great leader and a wonderful person and has led the expansion of Stonegate with great wisdom and judgment. We will miss his insight, experience and good humour and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.” Stonegate features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the latest edition of which was sent to Premium subscribers last Friday (10 November). Its turnover of £1,611,000,000 in the year to 25 September 2022 is the seventh highest in the database. The Blue Book ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.