'I've got a ridiculous addiction to pubs' - Stonegate's Payne takes a look back

With more than half a decade under his belt, Ian Payne, 70, has seen a lot in his time in the trade, and he steps down from the company he founded in 2010, having built the biggest pub company currently in the sector.

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington caught up with Payne to hear some of the highlights of a colourful career in a trade that he loves.

Further reading:

• Stonegate CEO Ian Payne to retire

• McDowall 'I'm in my dream job'

• Baker to step down as commercial director at Stonegate

• Brewdog's McDowall replacing Stonegate's Longbottom

• Stonegate doubles revenue to £1.6bn in 'creditable performance'

• Stonegate unveils new premium division

• Stonegate to buy EI Group for £1.3bn

• Stonegate's biggest deals: at timeline of the pubco

• Pub luminary recognised in Queen's birthday honours 2018

• Stonegate acquires Be At One and 15 Novus Leisure sites

• Stonegate snaps up Sports Bar & Grill Chain

• Stonegate acquires Walkabout brand owner

• Stonegate buys 53 pubs from Tattershall Castle Group

• Stonegate acquires 13 Living Room sites

• Stonegate Pub Company buys 78 Bramwell sites

• Stonegate-Town and City merger confirmed

• Analysis: Payne set to lead consolidation move

• Mitchells & Butlers sells 333 pubs to private equity firm