DisrupTV Episode 431

Russell has worked across a range of sectors, from FinTech to Cyber Security, and now within the language services market. The red thread between these roles is the passion to grow and scale businesses with a clear strategy, accelerated by a combination of organic innovation and acquisitions.

Over the last two decades, he has been fortunate enough to work for some great companies – from listed multinationals to private medium-sized businesses. Those experiences have helped him to develop deep P&L, operational, commercial, financial, and strategic skills.

Born in Cheshire, UK, Russell has lived and worked in four continents – Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Each one has given him a different perspective, developing a cultural empathy and respect for what makes us all different.

He has a keen interest in technologies that have the potential to transform how we work – and has written a book with Forbes on Digital Transformation. As a father of two teenage boys, he is also a strong advocate of internet safety and has supported multiple charities to tackle this challenge.

Outside of work, Russell enjoys mountain biking and golf, yet spends most weekends doing neither, as he’s also quite handy at driving his boys to sports matches!

Toby E. Stuart is the Leo Helzel distinguished professor of business administration at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley. He is faculty director of the Berkeley-Haas Entrepreneurship Program and faculty director of the Institute for Business Innovation; and distinguished teaching fellow. He previously has held named professorships at Harvard University, Columbia University, and the University of Chicago. Stuart is the cofounder of a tech company and on multiple corporate boards. He has published dozens of academic papers on social status and social network dynamics. He was the long-time department editor for entrepreneurship and innovation at Management Science, and has been an editor at many prominent journals, including American Journal of Sociology and Administrative Science Quarterly.