Brian Kingston MLA

Brian served as a DUP Councillor for the Greater Shankill area on Belfast City Council for 12 years prior to being elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022 as a DUP MLA for North Belfast.

During his time on Council he served for 3 years as DUP Group Leader. He also had the honour of serving as Lord Mayor of Belfast (2016 – 2017) and as High Sheriff (2013).His year as Lord Mayor included a focus on developing our international connections and attracting inward investment, as well as recognising the contribution of the voluntary and community sector.

Prior to entering a political role he worked for 20 years in community work in North and West Belfast, including 7 years as manager of the Shankill Mirror communitynewspaper and for a number of projects promoting employability.

Growing up in Belfast, Brian was educated at Methodist College Belfast and Manchester University. Living in Ballysillan, he is married to Eileen and they have 3 grown-upchildren. He is actively involved in a range of community organisations, the loyal orders and his church. He is a keen runner, having completed 5 of the World Marathon Majors.