Founder of Semper Porro

Colin Hirst (née Devon)

Born in Catterick, North Yorkshire, Colin grew up travelling across Europe as part of a military family – his father served in the army for 25 years. At 13, he and his family settled in Hartlepool, his parents’ hometown. A keen footballer in his early years, Colin discovered rugby union upon his return to the UK and went on to play for his much-loved Hartlepool Rovers RFC for 12 years. Alongside his sporting commitments, he spent a decade working in management for Unilever’s Timber Merchants division.

At 26, Colin moved south to Watford, taking on a Senior Consultant role at Reed Recruitment, where he specialised in the insurance sector for five years in the heart of the city. Since then, he has made Watford his home, building a diverse career across multiple sectors. With each new role, he’s sought out fresh challenges to deepen his operational expertise and broaden his business skillset. Colin is widely respected for his people-first approach, strong community spirit, and passion for business development and growth.

Married to his partner Jane for the past 10 years – and together for 25 – Colin enjoys spending his free time with her, tackling ambitious DIY projects, watching rugby, and caring for dogs.