I once asked Ian Payne, who will step down as chairman of Stonegate Group at the end of January, what he thought his greatest achievement was in the pub industry. After the answers around building businesses and teams, he paused, and with a smile, said: “Actually Mark, I had one of my greatest achievements last weekend, after the Grand National, when I finally, after many years of trying, got a well-known sector chairman to get up and dance in our Popworld site in Liverpool!” I never asked what the tune was that caused the change of heart. I hope it was a rockier number, so ticking off another one of Payne’s passions – rock music.

Last summer, when I told him about a visit to one of Stonegate’s pubs in Borehamwood, the Wishing Well, and how a staff member had done him proud, his answer was testament to not only his rock music knowledge, but that of his circa 4,500-strong estate. He replied: “I know the bar, and we plan to invest in it over the coming few weeks. Wishing Well is in the top five Free (1970s rock band) tracks, in my opinion, and I know that it is Tony Blair’s favourite. I am always proud of our pubs, and am always pleased when people tell me about a good visit.”

Nor should I overlook the skill, determination and courage that Payne has shown over his career in building and developing sector-leading businesses, while also championing what the pub sector can provide in terms of careers. He was part of the team that was instrumental in freeing up the pub estate from the brewing, hotel and other leisure assets within Bass, and someone who fundamentally understood where the value lay within a tenanted and leased estate.

 

Perhaps I am surprised that he is not staying on a while longer to oversee the next evolution of the business under its new chief executive, David McDowall, with a much-speculated refinancing also still to be navigated. Stonegate’s backer, TDR Capital, will know it has a significant job on its hands to find his replacement, but that speculation is for another time.

Below, some of Payne’s friends, peers and former colleagues provide their own tributes to an industry legend and – as Bob Ivell, chairman of Mitchells & Butlers – quite rightly describes as “one of the great leaders of our industry”. Oh, and the new name of that Wishing Well pub after the aforementioned investment? The Good Companion. Seems rather apt. Thanks, Ian.

 

Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller’s, said: “Nobody has inspired more people in our sector than Ian, and that will be his legacy in retirement. When I joined Bass as a fresh-faced graduate in the late 1980s, Ian served as an inspiring figure, and that has continued through his highly successful career. Ian has retained a passion for his people and his pubs, and he does this with a great sense of fun. This will not be the last we see of Ian in pubs, he will no doubt still visit every day in his retirement.”

 

Peter Borg-Neal, chief executive of Oakman Group, said: “I’ve known Ian for many, many years, and have always liked and admired him in equal measure. We have several interests in common, but two that come to mind are horse racing and pubs. We have both had the very great honour of presenting the Cheltenham Gold Cup – Ian in 2019 and myself in 2020 – and, indeed, our shared love of horse racing has been instrumental to us becoming good friends over the years. Of course, our other shared passion is pubs. Ian has been involved in a succession of major deals over a career that has culminated with him being chairman of Britain’s biggest pub company. His searing intelligence, breadth of vision and unwavering courage have been apparent throughout. However, if you want to see Ian in his element, you need to go and have a pint with him in one of his pubs. He is never happier than when he is standing in the corner on a busy night, beaming with pride to see his team delivering a great service, his customers having a great night and his tills ringing happily. Seeing him on such a night demonstrates his love for the pub business – and the people that make it such a great industry. It goes without saying that the pub industry loves Ian. He retires at the top of his game and is hugely admired by the vast majority of his industry colleagues.”

 

Bob Ivell, chairman of Mitchells & Butlers, said: “Ian is one of the great leaders of our industry. His success has not only come through his experience, but by not losing touch with the grass roots of the business. He is an operator that has always understood that it is the people that make this industry work, and has always been able to build highly motivated teams because they could relate to him. He will be missed as a competitor, and as one of the characters of our industry, but I’m sure he will continue to be an influencer and a good friend.”

Rob Pitcher, chief executive of Revolution Bars Group, said: “What was so infectious about Ian in the Laurel/Town & City days was his passion for building a business of scale that would dominate the high street. In Stonegate he has definitely delivered on that but it was his passion for people and spending time with our guests that has always stayed with me. He would constantly be out in trade chatting to our team members and our guests to really understand the health of the business. As an operator this sometimes meant warm praise would flow but also provided opportunities for some very direct ‘Payney’ feedback and I enjoyed learning from both. Thanks to a true industry icon whose impact reaches further than he knows.”    

 

Clive Chesser, chief executive of Punch Pubs & Co, said: “Huge congratulations to Ian on a long and extraordinary career in the pub sector. Ian’s evident passion for pubs has always reminded us of all of the unique opportunities that the industry provides, creating a path from bar to boardroom for talented and hardworking people. I wish him well in his well-deserved retirement…I suspect that he is going to enjoy it!” 

 

Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said: “Ian Payne accomplished the phenomenal task of creating the UK’s biggest pub company and then guiding it successfully through the pandemic – the licensed trade’s biggest ever challenge. The Wetherspoon team congratulates Ian on his retirement and extends best wishes for the future.”

 

Steve Richards, chief executive of Parkdean Resorts, said: “I first came across Ian when I was managing the Scottish & Newcastle pub division in the early 2000s. He was a big personality and hard to miss. I would say he’s a driven, positive leader and fun to be around. Oh, and he’s also been highly successful in building pub businesses of scale. He’ll be missed by many and is respected by all.”

Kris Gumbrell, chief executive of Brewhouse & Kitchen, said: “Ian Payne has been an inspirational figure for pubs. I remember Ian when I was a young training officer in Bass in the early 1990s. As well as being hugely respected, as a director and a colleague, he was liked enormously and seen very much the leader everyone wanted to work with. Ian is one the ‘greats’ of the pub industry and his leadership, humour and energy will be missed, I wish him a well deserved, relaxing and enjoyable retirement.”

 

Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of Greene King, said: “Ian has had an amazing impact on the sector over many years and it’s no exaggeration to say he is a legend of the industry.”

 

Stephen Gould, chief executive of Everards, said: “An outstanding career as a leader, mentor, and incomparable champion of pubs, bars and licensees. Ian will be very much missed but leaves a legacy and example of vision, courage, wisdom, authenticity, care and proper fun!”

 

Kevin Georgel, chief executive of St Austell Brewery, said: “Ian is a true icon of our industry, and he will leave an enduring legacy as a champion of pubs and people right across our wonderful sector, which he cares about so passionately. It is hard to overstate Ian’s positive influence during his incredibly successful 50 years of dedicated service. I, like many others, will be forever grateful for his guidance, encouragement and friendship. His selfless commitment to helping others fulfil their potential has played a significant role in developing many of the industry leaders of today. I join with everyone in the industry in wishing Ian and Linda a long, happy and healthy retirement, and I am sure that he will continue to be a passionate advocate of the Great British pub and all those who work in them.”

 

Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young’s, said: “Ian employed me as a wet-behind-the-ears marketeer in 2001 at Ladbroke Casinos. He is a force of nature, a true gentleman and a proper pub man (I think he knows every pub in the country!) A true legend of the industry.”

 

Peter Marks, chairman of Rekom UK, said: “Ian has successfully built a number of businesses over his long and illustrious career, finishing with the biggest one of all in Stonegate. Timing is everything, and of course, it couldn’t have been worse – completing the Ei Group transaction days before covid! But his experience saw it through it. That said, to me, his greatest achievement is that he has remained grounded throughout his career. The same friendly guy, knowledgeable but never showy – a real people person. He will be missed in the sector.”