 Collins designed houses in Southampton from 1922, became a director of the Welwyn Garden City Company in 1924 and co-founded the Swaythling Housing society on 26 November 1925.Collins, along with his cofounders, accountant and civic leader Fred Woolley (the society's first chairman) and Bursledon brickworks director Claude Ashby, put up £200 worth of shares.Collins' father, William, loaned the fledgling company £14,000.