Tim Collins

Colonel Tim Collins took command of the First Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment in the immediate aftermath of its devastating experience during the hostage crisis in Sierra Leone. The battalion has combated the Loyalist murder gangs in East Tyrone, held the line between two communities during the Holy Cross dispute in Belfast, and survived ambush in the deserts of Iraq. Tim caught the world’s attention with his address to his troops on the eve of the Iraqi invasion in 2003. His speech was an inspiration to world leaders and infantrymen alike and provided a suspicious and confused public with some explanation for the controversial war and marked him out as thinker as well as a leader of men.

Since his retirement from the army in 2004, Tim has written his bestselling memoir Rules of Engagement and built a successful career in the media as a talking head and television presenter. He fronted Tiger Aspect’s documentary on the British Army entitled Be the Best and BBC Northern Ireland’s Desert Generals and was the focus of an edition of Fiona Bruce’s Real Story on BBC 1. Through his eyes, we are given a frank and compelling insight into the realities of warfare on the ground and in the air.

Tim is renowned for his brilliant motivational speeches. He combines witty anecdotes drawing on his own experiences and broad knowledge of military and political history with unique insights into teamwork and leadership.

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