Blackpool Grand Theatre chairman Anthony Stone lands new starring role with The Prince's Trust

Anthony Stone has been accepted as a business mentor for the long established Royal charity project, The Princes Trust, founded by Prince Charles, to help transform the lives of vulnerable young people between 11 and 30 years and help them progress with employment opportunities.

To land his new part, father-of-one and private pilot Mr Stone impressed a panel of judges, including business mastermind and entrepreneur James Caan, who has featured on Dragon’s Den and set up the James Caan Foundation.

Mr Stone, who started his career in the travel industry, said: “I felt during this very difficult time, that having been a businessman in Blackpool for over 33 years, that I could perhaps help young people achieve their goals and dreams, and I am delighted to have been accepted into this prestigious position.”

Mr Stone, who has served as chairman at the Grand Theatre for the last 12 years, has most recently been offering his services as a volunteer to the National Civil Aviation Authority Corps, as a pilot on-call to transport drugs or emergencies across the country and as a Covid-19 vaccine marshall with Lancashire Volunteer Partnership in Wyre.

He ran his own travel business in Blackpool for 33 years, opening five branches.

During this time, he sat as chairman of the Trinity Hospice Charity Committee, director/vice-chairman of Blackpool Town Centre Forum and director of the Blackpool Challenge Partnership

He has also served as director of the West Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and as North West advisor to the Bank of England.

He was also founder of Premier Theatre Company, which brought Sir Tim Rice to an opening night performance, Shakespeare to Stanley Park and raised more than £100,000 for local and national charities.

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