Steve Johnstone
We are
Steve &
Amy
Crafting Together for a Stronger Community
Our Story
With a shared passion for keeping pubs at the heart of the community and extensive experience in both finance, events and marketing, we believe we possess the perfect blend of skills and vision to breathe new life into The Crown in Knaphill.
I'm Steve, a sports fan with a particular love for football and golf, complemented by a diverse taste in music and a keen eye for fashion and the odd tattoo. I've always been the approachable type, someone who naturally draws others in with a tale or two, firmly believing that a pub is much more than just a place to drink, it's the heart of the community. This conviction stems from my grandparents, who ran their own pub for decades, instilling in me the importance of great company and strong values.
With my big personality, strong work ethic, and knack for handling various business challenges, I'm ready to lead the charge in making your pub a thriving hub once again.
Amy, my wife is the spark of any gathering and the planner behind the most memorable evenings. She thrives on the joy of those little moments, whether it's savouring great food, helping a friend or selecting the ideal wine. Her flair for fashion and talent for transforming old furniture into something new showcase her creative spirit. Organising events and uniting people to create lasting memories is her thing, making every occasion special.
We are eager to bring our passion, skills, and dedication to Craft Union and work collaboratively to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels at home.
Together, we are confident in our ability to transform your pub into a beacon of community spirit.
Steve
Skills
Client Relationship Management
My experience as the primary contact for clients, their advisers and shareholders has equipped me with exceptional skills in building and maintaining strong relationships.
Operational Management
Overseeing day-to-day operations, including managing a team and ensuring the smooth execution of services, demonstrates my ability to keep a business running efficiently.
Team Leadership and Management
Leading and managing a team, ensuring that business objectives are met, reflects my capability to inspire, motivate, and direct staff effectively.
Problem Solving and Adaptability
Working closely with clients to understand their needs and provide solutions showcases my problem-solving skills.
Strategic Planning and Business Development
Identifying opportunities to expand relationships with existing clients and generate new business leads.
Communication Skills
Working directly with clients has really honed my communication skills, making me quite adept at expressing ideas in a clear and compelling way. This ability is incredibly valuable in any role that involves engaging directly with customers.
Supported by Amy
Skills
Marketing, Sponsorship & Promotion
Amy's experience in events marketing enables her to develop targeted promotional campaigns and creative marketing strategies to attract customers. By leveraging digital marketing platforms, social media channels, and local advertising opportunities, she can effectively promote special events and other offerings to drive footfall and increase revenue.
Furthermore, her expertise in forging sponsorship collaborations can not only broaden the reach but also add significant value, creating unique experiences.
Customer Relationship Management
Her interpersonal skills and customer-focused approach enable them to cultivate strong relationships with patrons, fostering loyalty and repeat business. By providing exceptional customer service, personalised experiences, and actively soliciting feedback, they enhance customer satisfaction and retention, ultimately leading to higher revenue generation through word-of-mouth referrals and positive online reviews.
As a seasoned Senior Manager with over 26 years of experience at SLC Registrars, part of the Equiniti Group, transitioning into a dynamic and vibrant career in pub management might seem like a leap at first glance.
Yet, my extensive background in managing operations, maintaining client relationships, and leading teams aligns seamlessly with the demands of running a successful pub. My journey from an Office Junior to a pivotal Senior Manager role has given me a robust set of transferable skills, from expertly managing teams to engaging customers with a strategic approach. This journey has fine-tuned my ability to manoeuvre through complex regulatory and commercial environments, a skill set directly applicable of pub management.
In my current role, I've honed the art of being the primary point of contact for a diverse clientele, ensuring their needs are not just met but exceeded. This experience translates into creating a welcoming and responsive environment in a pub setting, where customer satisfaction is paramount. My experience of managing client accounts, leadership, managing daily operations, and helping my team toward our collective goals coupled with a proactive approach to understanding and solving client needs, equips me with the right tools to ensure a pub operates smoothly and customers keep coming back.
I bring a proven capability in overseeing both the operational intricacies behind the scenes and the critical customer-facing aspects at the forefront. This skill set ensures I can smoothly transition into the role of managing a pub's lively environment.
I am excited about the opportunity to channel my skills and experiences into a new career path that combines my managerial expertise with a passion for community building and customer service. With a track record of fostering relationships, leading with vision, I am excited at the opportunity to embark on this new journey, contributing to and revitalising the heart of the community through the cherished institution of the 'Good Old' pub.
Attention to Detail
Ensuring client information is accurate and up to date requires meticulous attention to detail. Required for everything from inventory management to compliance with health and safety regulations.
Health and Safety
My roles as a Fire Warden and a St John Ambulance First Aider demonstrate a commitment to health and safety both of which are important for creating a safe environment for both staff and patrons in a pub.
Collaboration and Coordination
Liaising and collaborating to ensure client needs are met shows my ability to work effectively within a team environment. This collaborative spirit is essential for coordinating events, promotions, and daily operations in a pub.
Financial Management
My expertise in finance provides me with the skills needed to oversee budgets, monitor expenditures, and maximise profits and analysing financial data to pinpoint opportunities for cost reduction and ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to boost revenue streams. Leveraging my financial know-how, I'm positioned to identify and pursue avenues for diversifying income sources, enabling me to minimise risks and enhance revenue potential during both busy and quiet periods.
I believe that a happy, fun working environment, where we all communicate as one, is the key to any successful business. As a team, we succeed
Amy works as Head of Marketing for Kyan, a digital product agency based in Guildford.
She is committed to developing marketing strategies that truly resonate with target audiences. Utilising all available communication channels, Amy strives to evoke an emotional response, aiming to unite people around a common vision whilst delivering measurable results and driving sustainable growth.
Beyond her marketing prowess, Amy is passionate about community building. This passion extends into her work, where she not only focuses on business objectives but also on creating a sense of community among customers and within the team itself. Her leadership of the culture squad at Kyan has lead to being recognised through numerous awards, including Best Company to Work For in the South East and Best Small Company in the UK, highlighting her commitment to creating an inclusive and positive environment.
Her passion for nurturing a positive workplace and community environment is a testament to her understanding that the heart of any business lies in its people and the values it upholds making her an invaluable asset in driving the success and growth of The Crown in Knaphill.
Strategic Partnerships
Her ability to identify and forge strategic partnerships with local businesses, suppliers, and community organizations creates mutually beneficial opportunities for revenue generation. Through collaborating on co-promotions, cross-marketing initiatives, sponsorships, or hosting joint events, they can expand the customer base, increase brand visibility, and drive sales.
Community Engagement
Her enthusiasm extends beyond mere marketing achievements; Amy is profoundly passionate about community engagement. Amy's belief in the significance of community and her strategic marketing insights are pivotal in promoting the success and expansion of The Crown in Knaphill. Her ability to blend community engagement with effective marketing practices demonstrates a deep understanding of the essential role that people and values play in the heart of any business.