Steve is a C-suite professional who has worked in food and drink all his career since graduating with a Masters in business.

His roles have taken him from deputy MD at Greene King to CEO at St Peter’s Brewery before buying into the Two Magpies in 2018 as co-owner and director, leading the growth strategy to what it is now. Steve has four children, three of whom are in strategy/consulting roles...following in their dad’s footsteps. He talks to Gina Long...

What is your connection to East Anglia?

I first moved here (living in Layer De La Haye, near Colchester) in September 1996, working as a general manager for a company called Grampian Country Foods. I’ve worked for a variety of companies in the area including Greene King, where I was deputy managing director of the brewing business (Bury St Edmunds) and St Peters Brewery (near Bungay), where I was CEO. I’ve lived in quite a few parts of East Anglia and have made many friends and acquaintances across the region. A total of 26 years in the area.

What is your East Anglian heaven?

I originate from Bury, Lancashire, where you have a lot more wet weather and steep hills, so I genuinely love the weather, the fact that you are always near a coast and that its relatively flat. I run and cycle, so this helps a lot.

What is your East Anglian hell?

The road infrastructure – getting in and out of East Anglia can be torturous. The A14 goes on forever.

What are your favourite local restaurants?

Again, that depends upon occasion and company. It could be a simple pub meal – so the Dennington Queen is a local close by to where I live, or the Anchor in Woodbridge. If more formal, Milsoms at Kesgrave or if in the City, then Benoli or The Ivy in Norwich. When I lived in Bury St Edmunds, then Pea Porridge or Maison Bleue would be a good place to visit.

What’s your favourite East Anglian landmark?

I love Southwold, so would have to be the pier.

What’s the best thing that happens in East Anglia every year?

Again, there are lots of great events from Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival to Folk festivals. If I had to choose it would be Latitude Festival.

What your specialist Mastermind subject?

Great question. I’m a generalist and not a specialist. I love business and seeing how people have created businesses/ brands and what drives them. So, something along those lines.

What is always in your fridge?

Always cheese and usually fresh pasta – an easy go-to.

What’s your simple philosophy of life?

Try to treat everyone with respect and kindness. It goes a long way.

What’s your favourite film?

Jumanji with Robin Williams.

What was your first job?

Record buyer for Boots when they used to have sound and vision departments.

What is your most treasured possession?

An Olympic Torch.

Who do you admire most?

Elon Musk. He isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he has pushed the development of electric cars and spaceflight to new levels. He also does help where others cannot – for example with communications for Ukraine.

What is your biggest indulgence?

I run quite a lot, so buying new ‘Hoka Ones’ every few months.

What do you like about yourself most?

I try to see the best in people.

What’s your worst character trait?

I’m not very good at hiding frustrations.

Where is your favourite holiday destination?

Italy – ideally Tuscany, but the whole country is great. Fantastic food, wine, friendly people, great cities, and wonderful beaches.

Best day of your life?

Not one, but four. Birth of my four children Ben, Abi, Will and Fabian.

What’s your favourite breakfast?

I make my own muesli, mixing this with yoghurt and fresh fruit.

What’s your favourite tipple?

A nice Amarone or Barola. I love strong heavy reds.

What’s your hidden talent?

Still finding it! However, I used to be good at woodwork and made a rocking horse that the kids grew up with.

What’s your earliest memory?

My earliest memory is a family holiday to Germany. I was about five years old. We camped all over Europe. Germany is the one place I remember.

What would you like played at your funeral?

I used to think ‘Follow You Follow Me’ by Genesis. Nowadays it would be something like ‘I’m Your Man’ by Leonard Cohen.

Tell us something people don’t know about you?

I used to be the chair of a drug and alcohol charity, called Focus12 and helped the charity survive and support many people in need.

What’s the worst thing anyone has ever said to you?

I suffer from psoriasis and once was asked ‘how I had burned myself?’ I used to find it difficult explaining that psoriasis is a skin condition that you cannot catch.

Tell us why you live here and nowhere else?

The countryside, the milder weather, coastline, and people.

What do you want to tell our readers about most?

Two Magpies are a part of a few local communities in Suffolk and Norfolk. We have seen how these communities pull together in difficult times (especially Covid lockdowns) and we support where we can. I think there is more hardship to come with rising costs hitting vulnerable people and we should remember to support where we can. Do consider visiting us twomagpiesbakery.co.uk


I am always looking for interesting people from Suffolk and Norfolk to feature in my Q&A. Please contact me at gina@hallfarmfornham.com or follow me on Instagram @ginalong_geewizz