Anthony Coombs

Career History 

Anthony Coombs was a Councillor on the Birmingham City Council between 1978 and 1988. He contested Coventry North West in the 1983 General Election. 

Anthony was MP for Wyre Forest from 1987 until 1997. During his time as an MP he was a Parliamentary Private secretary to David Mellor and Gillian Shephard. He subsequently served as an assistant government whip from 1996 to 1997. 

Anthony has been chairman of S&U plc (a UK consumer and motor finance provider) since July 2008. He has served as a director of a number of companies and charities including the Birmingham Royal Ballet Trust Board and as a trustee of Premier Christian Media. He is also the founder of The Keith Coombs Trust. 

Unexpected fact 

I’m Muslim! (Only joking…) spent time in a monastery in Mt Athos three years ago….. but only for four days! 

Why did you decide to become a trustee for Premier and why is this important to you? 

I became a Trustee of Premier because I profoundly believe that the evangelical work they do is both commanded by God and crucial in today’s questing but secular world. Equally important, they have the editorial skills and experience in the digital field to harness their huge dynamism and Christian fervour in bringing a whole new generation to Faith. 

What would you want with you if stranded on a desert Island? 

If stranded on a desert island I’d like my wife around to look after me as she has for 36 years! 

If you could invite anyone (past/present) to be at your dinner party, who would you choose and why? 

For a dinner party, I’d choose Napoleon, Tommy Cooper, Elizabeth 1st, Shakespeare and, as guest of honour, our Lord Jesus himself.