Colin was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to equality and diversity and young people. He has worked in a number of different government departments for over 25 years, including the European Social Fund; the Small Business Advisory Service and Private Office for the Secretary of State for Employment at the time. He is currently the Director of Hanley Crouch Community Association, a community hub in North Islington. He is also the chair of the Octopus Community Network and the Hate Crime Forum.