Brian Kingston was born in Belfast in February 1966. The son of a Methodist minister, he was educated at the University of Manchester and Queen’s University Belfast. Kingston worked in the field of community development in north and west Belfast for over 20 years and was a founder of the Shankill Mirror newspaper.

Kingston was co-opted to Belfast City Council in 2010 replacing Diane Dodds, and was subsequently elected in 2011 for the Democratic Unionist Party representing the Court electoral area. He served as High Sheriff of Belfast in 2013 and in 2015 was designated an Alderman.

Kingston is a governor of Boys Model Primary School and sits on the Greater Shankill Partnership Board.