Damian Collins: A Passionate Advocate for Opportunity and Community
Born in Northampton in 1974, Damian Collins has always believed in the power of education and hard work as the foundation for personal achievement. His passion for creating opportunities for all led him to politics, striving to ensure that everyone has the chance to fulfil their potential.
Damian and his wife Sarah have two children, Claudia and Hugo, and reside in both Elham and London. He was raised in Herefordshire and attended St. Mary's High School in Lugwardine before completing his A levels at Belmont Abbey School, Hereford. In 1996, Damian graduated with a degree in Modern History from St Benet's Hall, University of Oxford, where he also served as President of the Oxford University Conservative Association in 1995.
Following university, Damian joined Conservative Central Office in 1996, working in the Conservative Research Department and the Press Office. He later transitioned into the advertising and communications industries, working at M&C Saatchi from 1999 to 2008 and Lexington Communications from 2008 to 2010.
Damian was first elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe in 2010 and has since been re-elected in 2015, 2017, and 2019. He has held positions as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (2012-2014) and the Foreign Secretary (2014-2015). From 2016 to 2019, Damian chaired the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, leading inquiries into various issues such as doping in sports, disinformation, football governance, reality TV, homophobia in sports, and addictive technologies. He currently chairs the Joint Committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill, collaborating with members of the House of Commons and House of Lords to scrutinize the government's plans for social media regulation.
In addition to his parliamentary work, Damian is a trustee of the Shepway Sports Trust, the Folkestone Youth Project, and serves as Chairman of Step Short, a heritage charity commemorating Folkestone's role in World War I. As a sports enthusiast and lifelong Manchester United supporter, Damian is also a member of the MCC. His first book, "Charmed Life: The Phenomenal World of Philip Sassoon," was published by HarperCollins in 2016.
Damian Collins served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport from July 8, 2022, to October 27, 2022. He was readopted to stand by the Association in the next General Election, continuing his dedication to representing the people of Folkestone and Hythe with true conservative values.
Website of Damian Collins http://damiancollins.com/