Lord Collins of Highbury
Biography
Lord Collins of Highbury was appointed as a Government spokesperson for Equalities on 8 October 2024, in addition to his roles as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Lord in Waiting (Government Whip).
Lord Collins was appointed Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) on 15 November 2024.
Lord Collins was an Assistant General Secretary of the Transport Union (1994 to 1999) and the General Workers Union, later Unite (1999 to 2008).
Lord Collins served as General Secretary of the Labour Party (2008 to 2011) before joining the House of Lords in 2011.
Before joining government, Lord Collins was Co-Chair All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Nutrition for Growth. He was also an officer of the APPG on Global LGBT Rights which advances LGBT rights around the world.
Lord Collins is also Patron of Positive East, London’s largest HIV charity based in the East End.
Follow Lord Collins on X/Twitter: @Lord_Collins
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Africa)
Responsibilities include:
- East, Central, West and Southern Africa
- African Union
- multilateral and human rights (including United Nations and Commonwealth)
Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
The Prime Minister’s Special Representative (PMSR) for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict works with governments, the UN, civil society and others to:
- strengthen accountability and tackle impunity
- provide greater support for survivors
- ensure gender equality is fully integrated in all peace and security efforts
- deliver a more effective multilateral response to crimes of sexual violence in conflict
The PMSR also promotes and implements the commitments of the June 2014 Global Summit.
In addition to continuing the international campaign to raise awareness, the PMSR chairs the cross-Whitehall ministerial committee which brings together the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Ministry of Defence and Home Office. The committee looks at implementation of UK commitments as well as what additional support we can provide politically and practically to key partners in order to secure measurable progress. The PMSR also chairs the PSVI Steering Board with NGOs, academia and experts.
The PMSR undertakes these activities on behalf of the Prime Minister, and reports to the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street, Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office