Russell commenced his professional journey within the private sector, subsequently transitioning into the NHS. His initial roles involved managing services in Urgent Care, Acute Medicine and Theatres for the Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. Following this, he made a considerable impact across a range of organisations in London including Barts Health NHS Trust, Whittington Trust and latterly North Middlesex Trust. He is responsible for operational delivery across a range of specialties and moving services from inadequate/requires improvement to good with the Care Quality Commission. Russell became Chief Operating Officer at Harrogate and District Foundation Trust in Yorkshire in 2021. He has assumed the role of Senior Responsible Officer for elective recovery across West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) and has recently been entrusted with leading the Humber and North Yorkshire elective recovery programme. Russell’s professional ethos is characterised by an unwavering commitment to patient care and fostering collaborative leadership based on radical candour. Russell was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in April 2025.