Paul Collier

Paul spent a number of years working in the health and social care field in London, including as Strategic Planning Officer for Older People’s Services in Southwark and as CEO of Age Concern Harrow (now Age UK). In 2000, he changed direction and pursued a lifelong ambition to be an artist, and graduated with a BA in Fine Art in 2004. He was diagnosed with HIV the following year. Paul is now both an established artist and author. He has won art competitions, held a number of solo exhibitions, sold his paintings to Lenny Henry and the late Cilla Black, and participated in group exhibitions for Opening Doors (a charity providing services for those over 50 in the LGBTQ+ community). Paul has also published two books on the history of the furniture manufacturer Lebus. In recent years he has been active in local charities that work with, and for, those in treatment and recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.