Baker to step down as commercial director at Stonegate

12-May-2023 - Last updated on 12-May-2023 at 09:36 GMT

Different challenge awaits: outgoing commercial director Suzanne Baker describes her career journey as 'demanding and rewarding'

Stonegate Group commercial director Suzanne Baker has announced she will step down from her role to take a seat on the board as a non-executive director.

Baker has been a part of Stonegate since its inception in 2010 and previously held commercial director roles in Town & City Pub Group, Laurel Pub Company and JD Wetherspoon (JDW).

She has spent 35 years within the hospitality industry and said: “I have had the most fantastic time working within the hospitality sector and I have had the privilege to have been in at the start of companies such as JDW and Stonegate Pub Company and seen those businesses grow and thrive.

“To be part of the Stonegate journey from 333 pubs to becoming the biggest pub company in the UK, through one of the most challenging times the industry has experienced, has been both demanding and rewarding.”

Raise the bar

She continued: “I am now looking forward to continuing to work with the board team as the business continues to raise the bar within the sector.”

Stonegate chairman Ian Payne said: “Suzanne has been an instrumental part of Stonegate’s success over more than a decade and is a huge ambassador for our business and our wider sector as a whole.

“I am delighted she will remain with us in a non-exec capacity so she can continue to bring her insight and unparalleled industry expertise to our business. An announcement concerning Suzanne’s replacement will follow in due course.”

Career paths to the top

Baker has been vocal in her support for women in the sector and contributed to The Morning Advertiser’s recognition of International Women’s Day.

Last year, she said: “The biggest impact women in our industry can make right now is to ensure the women working in our industry understand that there are career paths to the top.

“Within Stonegate Group we operate an inclusive policy among our employees as well as our customers. My passion is to enable our employees to achieve their potential irrespective of background, colour or creed.

“I believe each of us within senior positions of responsibility should be mentoring and supporting females at all levels. Progress will take time. However, programmes such as those we run within Stonegate Group helps to facilitates this, building confidence and knowledge, and helping to direct the talented female leaders of the future.”