Denis was born in New York and grew up in the west of Ireland. He has a BA in European Studies from the University of Limerick, an MSc in Urban Policy from South Bank University, and a PhD in Community Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London.

After 2 years in the civil service, Denis began working in the community-based training and employment sector in the late 1980s and has made his career in that area ever since. After periods of time with the North Kensington Community Programme and the National Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders (NACRO) he began working with Springboard Islington in 1994. He spent 18 years at Springboard where he progressed through various roles before becoming Senior Manager. He then worked as National Quality and Curriculum Manager for Springboard’s parent organisation, the Community Service Volunteers, before taking up his current role at First Rung in 2014.

Denis has also worked as a part-time lecturer for Birkbeck College, University of London and co-authored a book and a number of journal articles on the area of community involvement and urban renewal. He served as an elected member of Haringey Council for 8 years during which time he held the positions of deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration.

In his spare time Denis likes reading, country walking, swimming, charity shopping and following Arsenal Football Club.