Russell has for 20 years been in charge of the Durban Investment Promotion Authority, known as Invest Durban within the Ethekwini Metro. He was a Board Member of the Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and past Chairman of the Institute of Directors for KZN. He was also one of the Founding Members, KZN Sustainable Energy Forum (KSEF). Previously he served on The Mercury Highroad Editorial Board, Independent Newspapers Group, plus on the Boards of Commercial Co's & NPC's (Non-Profit Co's). Internationally, he was invited by the UN to sit at the Investment Advisory Council 2008/9, & again 2016/17. Russell has also served on the MCI/World Bank Expert Advisory Group on City Investment Promotion & has jointly authored publications. He has been a UN World Investment Forum Panelist in 2010, 2014, 2016, & 2018.He holds the degree of Chartered Associate, Institute of Bankers SA, with 15 years in the Corporate Banking & Financial Services industry (First Investors Corp., USA, FNB Corp. & Nedbank Corp.). During this period, Russell was elected as Chairman of The Institute of Bankers in KZN for 3 consecutive years. Business & industrial engagements also the Board of the Durban Automotive Cluster, & previously, the Advisory Board of University of KZN, Graduate School of Business. During 2006-9, he was also a Member of The City of Durban’s Strategic Management Exco., plus Work Stream Leader for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Host City Team.Russell also holds several post-graduate Diplomas in Financial Management, Project Management, Corporate Finance, and Securities Brokerage (US SEC), plus Executive Certificates in Strategic Investment Promotion, Advanced Financial Modelling and others. He is a Certified Director, qualified via the Institute of Directors, & also holds a post graduate Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wales, UK, plus an MBA (Essentials) from the London School of Economics.