James Russell

VP Audit and Assurance (CAE and CRO)

London Area, United Kingdom

About

Experienced and dynamic leader with a broad range of audit, risk, finance, transformation, corporate finance and transaction services skills. Commercial outlook and strategy driven with a pragmatic approach whilst maintaining focus on risk-based decisions and governance. Significant experience working with NEDs, Board members and C suite executives.

Experience

  • Colt Technology Services (14 yrs 5 mos)
    • Vice President Audit and Assurance (CAE and CRO)
      Jun 2025 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Group Internal Audit Director (CAE)
      Oct 2022 - Aug 2025 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      I am Colt's Chief Auditor reporting to the Group Audit Committee Chair and investor (Fidelity), with a dotted line to the Group CFO. The Colt group of companies sits within Fidelity’s strategic private equity (PE) portfolio and is one of the UK's largest non-listed organisations. My role encompasses Fidelity’s investments in both Colt’s technology services/telco business and the separately held hyperscale data centre portfolio. I cover all functions and geographies delivering assurance, advisory services, risk support, complex investigations, and various other projects. Current key focus areas are M&A/integration/synergies, transformation, cost optimisation, hyperscale real estate construction and infrastructure projects, as well as supporting the development of Colt’s overall governance and assurance model. I have a practical and pragmatic outlook focusing on value-add delivery and cutting through assurance ‘box ticking’. I am a member of the global Business Ethics Committee, Colt Senior Leadership Team, and also sit on various working groups and committees, including the Audit Committee.

    • Head of Business Audit & Assurance
      Sep 2019 - Oct 2022 · 3 yrs 2 mos

  • Manager at KPMG Australia
    Apr 2007 - Jan 2012 · 4 yrs 10 mos

  • Executive at EY
    Sep 2003 - Mar 2007 · 3 yrs 7 mos