Collin Talbot has had an unconventional career, leaving school at 16 and working in various jobs before enrolling for an economics and social sciences degree course at Manchester University at the age of 21. He did not obtain a degree, instead became involved in student politics at Manchester University at the time. He subsequently obtained an MSc from London South Bank University and a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Talbot held posts at British Telecom and at Local Government departments in London. In 1990 he joined London South Bank University as a senior lecturer. In 1995, he was appointed as Chair in Public Policy and Management at University of Glamorgan, followed by appointments at University of Nottingham and University of Manchester.

He is one of the founders of the Herbert Simon Institute.

Colin Talbot has acted as advisor and consultant to public organisations in the UK and internationally. He has given evidence to parliamentary committees on performance and public spending issues for the Treasury, on Public Administration and Welsh Affairs committees. He is currently a Specialist Adviser to the Treasury Committee.

Talbot is particularly critical of the power of HM Treasury, as a government department, in contrast to other departments including the Cabinet Office, or the Prime Minister's Office. He also criticises the lack of a legal or constitutional basis of UK government departments.

• The Paradoxical Primate (2004) ISBN 0907845851

• Agencies: how governments do things through semi-autonomous organizations (2004, with Pollitt, C; Caulfield, J & Smullen, A) ISBN 1403933227

• Unbundled Government: A critical analysis of the global trend to agencies, quangos and contratualisation (2003, editor with Pollitt, C) ISBN 0415314488

• The Alternative Comprehensive Spending Review (2007, editor with Baker, M) ISBN 0719078075