Microsoft names James Collins Global Government Lead for new Frontier Company
Collins will lead the government focus within Frontier Industry Advisory’s Government, Defense & Intelligence team, working with public-sector leaders across the Americas, EMEA and Asia
James Collins has taken on the role of Global Government Lead within Microsoft’s new Frontier Company
Microsoft has appointed James Collins as Global Government Lead within its new Frontier Company, giving him responsibility for the government focus of Frontier Industry Advisory’s Government, Defense & Intelligence team.
Collins will work with government leaders across the Americas, EMEA and Asia on the use of AI in public services and government operations, alongside Microsoft’s Industry Advisors, Forward Deployed Engineers, Industry Solutions Delivery teams, partners and customers.
Announcing the role on LinkedIn, Collins said the work will focus on more than adding AI to existing government processes: “For me, that means working with government leaders around the world to reimagine the future of government, exploring new ways to deliver services, empower public servants, and advance the missions that.” matter most to the people and communities they serve
Microsoft’s Frontier Advisory approach combines industry expertise with engineering teams to work directly with customers on projects built around the company’s technology.
Public-sector experience spans Microsoft and Delaware government
Collins has spent more than six years at Microsoft, with previous roles including General Manager, Microsoft Consulting, General Manager, Public Sector Industry and Public Sector Leader.
His work at the company has included state and local government, higher education and public-sector digital services.
Before joining Microsoft, Collins spent six years as Chief Information Officer for the State of Delaware’s Department of Technology and Information.
In that role, he was responsible for technology strategy across state government, including digital services, cybersecurity, cloud adoption and statewide IT modernization.
His earlier public-sector positions included Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Deputy Secretary of State and Director of the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation.
That background gives the new role a strong operational government focus alongside Microsoft’s wider AI and engineering capabilities.
Frontier Advisory targets government AI deployment
Collins said on LinkedIn that Frontier Advisory is intended to bring together “deep industry expertise and expert engineering to co-innovate with customers and partners on the Microsoft platform.”
His remit includes helping government organizations move from AI strategy into implementation and identifying approaches that can be scaled across agencies, countries and regions.
The role also places workforce change alongside service delivery, with Collins’ description of the position covering how government organizations can use AI to support public servants as well as citizen-facing services.
He began the Global Government Lead role in July 2026.
