Connections with Brighton and Hove :
1910 - 1988
Stanley Theobald spent the early part of his life in South London. He was born in Camberwell and moved from Dulwich to Brighton in 1938. Having trained as a surveyor, he enjoyed a successful career as an estate agent. He worked with the Brighton firm George White.
Later in life, he turned his attention to civic matters. Stanley joined Brighton Council in 1960 as a Councillor for St Nicholas ward. He eventually became leader of the Tory group, and his greatest achievements were in housing. He had a long tenure as chairman of the housing committee. He was responsible for building a significant number of council houses and flats. The tallest block of council flats in Brighton, Theobald House, is named after him. During the 1970s, he led the way in building the Brighton Centre. This was Britain's first purpose-built conference centre, and he chaired the committee supervising it.
As well as new constructions, Stanley recognised the importance of heritage architecture. He supported restoration of the Royal Pavilion, despite that work costing the same as building the Brighton Centre. He was instrumental in ensuring that American Express, one of Brighton's largest private sector employers, established its European headquarters there in 1977. In 1971 Stanley became Mayor of Brighton, the place where he had devoted his life.
488 Volvo Gemini - carried name since delivery in November 2013. (Previously on bus 839) Route 27 branding added March 2018. Repainted into standard livery January 2021. Bus transferred to Metrobus and name removed in March 2024. Name reappeared on 760 ADL Enviro400 in December 2025.
Photograph of Stanley Theobald reproduced with the kind permission of the Royal Pavilion, Libraries and Museums (Brighton and Hove).