Ben Collins
writer; communications consultant; former chief executive, The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations; author, Irish Unity: time to prepare

Ben Collins grew up in a strongly pro-unionist and pro-British background in East Belfast. Previously an active member of the UK Conservative Party in Scotland from 2001 to 2003 and then a campaigner for the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, he is not a member of any political party.

Now a communications consultant, he was until recently the chief executive of The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) and has worked in roles with a strong focus on political communications for around 20 years. This has included working as a press officer for the Northern Ireland Office (UK Government Department) at the time of the St Andrews negotiations, for three multinational communications consultancies, a professional body and a medical regulator.

He has an MSc in political communication, an MBA and a Law degree, and is licensed to practise as an attorney in New York State. Now back in his home city of Belfast and working across the island of Ireland, he has previously lived and worked in Edinburgh, Cardiff and London.

Ben’s new book, Irish Unity: time to prepare, will be published by Luath Press in October 2022.

Follow Ben on Twitter @bjacollins

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