If my memory serves me correctly, the first time that Steve and I met was in Exeter for an ADEPT Engineering Board meeting - perhaps a decade ago? Steve's links with the Engineering Board grew ever stronger over the years, to the point of holding all its meetings at Gt Minster House to give him the best chance of joining in and really understanding the grass roots challenge.   

I'd joined Suffolk in late 2015 and, with a great team around me, turned round a badly performing contractual relationship to one that sought to pioneer. But when Suffolk's roads began to fall apart after the Beast from the East, a leadership battle brought political changes and an intent for a 'major review of highways'. In response, Steve wrote to Suffolk's Chief Executive and went to meet the Cabinet member and tell them that Suffolk was an exemplar highways service. Top man!

I was indebted to Steve for those actions. But he felt compelled to respond and those acts cemented our friendship. He would often ring me out of the blue and seek my opinion on all sorts of issues. They were conversations built round mutual trust and respect - perhaps made stronger by our East End heritage. I enjoyed those impromptu chats but must now regrettably and with much sadness accept that my life will no longer be enriched by such banter. 

Steve was a fantastic bloke whom I will sorely miss. Rest in peace, my friend.

Mark Stevens