After a four-decade career in local government, culminating in 17 years at the helm of East Suffolk and its predecessor councils, Stephen will step down from his post at the end of this year.

Representing the biggest district council in the country by population, Stephen has been at the forefront of local innovation, becoming one of the country’s first-ever joint chief executives, taking up the reins at Waveney District Council alongside his role at Suffolk Coastal. Married to Lesley, he has two children, and three grandchildren. Here he talks to Gina Long...

What is your connection to East Anglia?

I was born here, in a little-known place called Middlewood Green, (which sounds very Tolkien-esque!) and I’ve lived here all my life.

What is your East Anglian heaven?

Tough to choose just one feature! I love the open skies, the coast, and the way it still surprises folk who visit for the first time. But I also value the respect that people from here have for others. The people here are very special, in so many ways.

What is your East Anglian hell?

Has to be the A14, especially that section from the Orwell Bridge to Stowmarket – absolutely dreadful. How can we be home to a major port like Felixstowe and not have decent roads?

What are your favourite East Anglian restaurants?

The Galley in Woodbridge is a favourite of mine. Ugur Vata is a splendid host! The Walnut Tree at Thwaite is great for vegetarian food. And Gastronome in Bury is great for a spicy breakfast. Then, of course, fish and chips on the coast has to be a favourite.

What’s your favourite East Anglian landmark?

The Scallop at Aldeburgh? Gulliver in Lowestoft? Yoxman? I hope they raise the funds to replace the ‘over the road’ Magpie pub sign on the A140. My favourite view is of the Orwell from the family churchyard in Wherstead - always both delightful and poignant. As a landmark the coast itself is hard to beat, with its beaches and estuaries, think Bawdsey and the Deben estuary - gorgeous. But maybe we need to create a new landmark for East Anglia, a new piece of public art on the coast?

What your specialist Mastermind subject?

Oh good grief… I don’t really have one. Music maybe? I listen to a Lot of music… so probably something on prog rock!

What is always in your fridge?

Salad. I love salad, and have a bottle of salad dressing that probably should have been thrown away, but which I insist on keeping just a little bit longer.

What’s your simple philosophy of life?

I’m a simple Suffolk boy, and am often heard to say ‘make the best of today, you’ll only get it once’, or similar. My grandfather taught me a lot, saying ‘give it a go, you never know what will happen’, and my favourite? ‘if you can’t be a help, don’t be a bl**dy hindrance!’.

What’s your favourite film?

Ahh, I love a good film! Tarantino, Greenaway, Greengrass. Love ‘em, but I enjoy Deadpool for escapism, and I can watch The Blues Brothers over and over again.

What was your first job?

I worked on my grandfather’s farm from an early age. I think I was nine when I earnt my first pocket money. My first ‘proper’ job was with Lucas CAV in Sudbury, working in the standard costs section with Richard, Jeff and Colin. They taught me a lot about work!

What is your most treasured possession?

Not sure I have one, memories perhaps? But I do have a print by Norman Ackroyd, and a portrait by the young artist Eve Jonas, both of which are very special to me.

Who do you admire most?

My old boss, James Hehir, was a force of nature and taught me a lot. There are many colleagues who I have massive respect and admiration for. Outside work Sir Clive Woodward and Sir David Attenborough come to mind, and Maggi Hambling has an amazing indomitable spirit.

What is your biggest indulgence?

Music. I buy and listen to an awful lot of music.

What do you like about yourself most?

I try to treat people as individuals; respect, understand, and value their differences. Also, I was told once that I have a strong sense of humour.

What’s your worst character trait?

Impatience. I struggle to relax. And I have no time for repeats on TV unless they are absolute classics – life’s too short for repeats. And I’m cursed with an eye for detail, I drive people mad by correcting spelling mistakes.

Where is your favourite holiday destination?

Lake Garda in Italy is a favourite, but I’m determined to go back to Japan for a proper holiday after a study visit a few years ago.

What’s your favourite breakfast?

My favourite breakfast is one that’s eaten outdoors, with an exceptional view.

What’s your favourite tipple?

The guys at Wines Of Interest select terrific red wines, but at the right time an Adnams beer, or a malt whisky just hits the spot.

What’s your hidden talent?

Each year I judge the mammoth vegetables at the village produce show, and have done for about 30 years. They have to be well trimmed!

What’s your earliest memory?

I recall playing with a plastic tractor on sand dunes at Hemsby, and receiving some second-hand brown leather football boots for my birthday; both were when I was very young.

What would you like played at your funeral?

So many to choose from! Most prog rock tunes would last far too long, hah. Maybe ‘Times Like These’ by the Foo Fighters? There is a lovely song by Neal Morse ‘What You Leave Behind’, but I’ll happily settle for the ‘Sea Interludes’ from Peter Grimes, by Britten. If you haven’t listened to that whilst sat on Aldeburgh beach, you haven’t lived.

Tell us something people don’t know about you?

I have been known to write poetry. It’s rubbish poetry, and for me alone, but it amuses me. It all ends up in the bin.

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

‘With handwriting like that you’ll never pass your school exams’. Well, I did, and many years later I was awarded an MBA. Maybe things didn’t turn out so bad overall.

Tell us why you live here?

It’s my home, but why would I want to live anywhere else?

What do you want to tell our readers about most?

Local government officers are the unsung heroes of the public sector. The vast range of services they provide means they touch everyone’s lives in some way, to some extent, but they are especially there when folk need help the most. The dedication, the diligence, the compassion of the teams I work with amazes me every day. Every day. They do amazing work helping so many people in so many ways. If you’re looking for a career, there are so many to choose from in local government, all of which can be very rewarding.

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