Russell became a School Business Manager in 2005 after a full career in the army. After leaving the army, he worked at a large high school in Worcestershire and, along with his business team, supported a number of primary schools. He then moved to be Chief Operating Officer for a 12-school multi academy trust and then subsequently became the Director of Operations at a 16-school multi academy trust. He helped form the local business management network in Worcestershire, which he proudly chairs. In 2011, he had the privilege of being nominated for the SBM of the year, where he was runner up and in 2015 he became a Fellow of ISBL. Russell regularly works in an advisory capacity at both local and national level and is an avid advocate for collaborative working and the wellbeing of all staff, but in particular the School Business Leader.