Colin Beveridge was born in Edinburgh, UK, and grew up in North Berwick, East Lothian. He earned his bachelor's and master's of science degrees from the University of Edinburgh and Napier University, Edinburgh. He has travelled extensively, reaching all corners of the world.
His involvement in politics began in 1998 when he founded the Napier University Conservative & Unionist Association and was elected President. In April 1999, he was named National Communications Director of Conservative Students, a position he held for two consecutive terms. In summer 2003, he was elected National Treasurer of the Scottish Young Conservatives.
Colin has served in a number of staff positions at the House of Commons, at the Scottish Parliament, and the Scottish Conservative Central Office.
In March 2000, he was elected as Campaigns & Representation Sabbatical of Napier University Students Association, a full-time position, with 72% of the vote. He was appointed to the Court of Napier University in July 2000. Under his presidency, the student representatives council (SRC) achieved its highest participation record for a number of years. Colin identified and tackled issues such as student mental health, student debt, and provision of sports facilities with high-profile campaigns, and negotiated the introduction of anonymous marking, a reversal of library closure plans, and increased student participation in university decision making.
Subsequently elected and re-elected by his UK student officer colleagues to serve on the Executive and Management Sub-committee of the National Postgraduate Committee until 2002, he has also sat on the NUS National Executive as observer member. During May 2001 he was UK representative at the National Unions of Students in Europe conference in the Slovak Republic.
For his service to the students of Napier University, Colin was awarded Honorary Life Membership of Napier Students Union by the Student Senate in December 2001.
