Russell’s distinguished career has spans over 50 years, from apprentice to managing director, from scientist to salesman, and his employers have included the MOD, NPL (National Physical Laboratory), ICL, Gylling (Sweden) and Cambridge Electronic Industries plc.
He attended Hanley High School before taking up a Technical Apprenticeship at the Royal Ordnance Factory, near Crewe, and studied part-time at the North Staffs Technical College obtaining an Ordinary National Certificate and Higher National Certificate in Metallurgy.
Russell went on to achieve a degree equivalent through part-time study at the Wolverhampton Technical College and Sir John Cass College, London. Full time post-graduate study at the University of Sheffield and a year at North-Western University in Chicago resulted in a Masters and a Doctorate, then achieving a Diploma in Management Studies (Distinction) at North Staffordshire Polytechnic, now Staffordshire University.
Almost 30 years ago he established The Way Ahead Ltd, a management consultancy. Travelling widely in the US, Europe, India and the Far East, Russell is still fascinated by business and technology and face-to-face interaction with staff at all levels.
Also, working as Contract Adviser with the Innovate UK/Knowledge Transfer Partnership Scheme (KTP) for the last 19 years has given Russell an opportunity to facilitate valuable projects with organisations, both private and public, in collaboration with academics from universities in North Wales and the West Midlands. Since 1996, Russell has been KTP Adviser to Staffordshire University.
His home town is Congleton, Cheshire, where he has been Chairman of a £13 million Single Regeneration Budget Project, and Vice Chairman of a successful bid to save the Community Hospital. He was founder Chairman of Congleton Pantomime in 1978 and Chairman for many years of Congleton Choral Society.
The award of Honorary Doctor of Science recognises Russell’s commitment to KTP and to generating a meaningful engagement between industry and academia. His exemplary work as Adviser to Staffordshire University has seen the successful development of over 70 innovative projects, involving more than 50 companies and generating Government funding of £4 million.