James Russell

Communications Director | Corporate Affairs Director | Chief Communications Officer

London Area, United Kingdom

About

A highly experienced Corporate Affairs Director and C-suite advisor for global consumer organisations - private equity & FTSE 50. Led award-winning communications and sustainability teams globally to shape and deliver strategy. Extensive crisis communications experience. Track record creating corporate affairs strategies that deliver commercial value.

Experience

  • Group Head of Communications at Nord Anglia Education
    Jul 2019 - Present · 7 yrs

    Member of global senior leadership team, responsible for leading global corporate affairs for PE backed (EQT, CPP, Neuberger Berman) $14.5bn market leader. Chief communications advisor to C-suite. Creator of global AI marketing assistant and training programme for Nord Anglia's 600+ marketing colleagues designed to enhance AI capabilities across 37 countries.

  • Trustee at In2scienceUK
    Apr 2017 - May 2025 · 8 yrs 2 mos

    In2scienceUK's award-winning work helps young people from low income backgrounds to study for STEM degrees at Russell Group universities.

  • Director of Communications and Public Affairs at David Ross Education Trust
    Jul 2017 - Jul 2019 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Responsible for the education organisation's marketing, brand, strategic communications, internal communications, and public affairs. Member of Executive leadership team.

  • Group Head of Communications at JLT Group
    Jul 2016 - Jun 2017 · 1 yr

    Senior communications leader responsible for global strategic communications (internal & external) and Corporate Responsibility for the global FTSE 250 Group. Member of senior leadership team.

  • Experian (12 yrs 4 mos)
    • Group Director of Corporate Communications & CR
      Dec 2012 - Jun 2016 · 3 yrs 7 mos

      Strategic communications leadership (financial, M&A, brand, crisis and issues management) across the global information services FTSE 50 Plc. Member of senior leadership team. Created award-winning global sustainability strategy: developing new products to tackle financial exclusion, helping 5.4 million people get affordable access to essential services.

    • Communications Director, UK&I and EMEA
      Jan 2011 - Dec 2012 · 2 yrs

      Leadership of regional strategic communications programmes, aligned to Group and regional growth initiatives. Directing regional Internal Communications teams across change and engagement projects, including the introduction of Experian’s global culture programme. Overseeing Group corporate and financial media communications (financial calendar, M&A, corporate profile - national and broadcast) across the global business. Directing Experian’s Consumer Affairs programme, designed to promote greater understanding about the company's role in society amongst the public, consumer groups, MPs, regulators and the mainstream media. Leading the UK and Ireland's Corporate Responsibility programme.

    • Group Public Relations Director
      May 2008 - Jan 2011 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      Directing strategic communications programmes to deliver significant improvements in positive exposure across the City/business, consumer and specialist media. Media advisor to Group and regional executive teams across a range of issues. Chair of Experian’s editorial board - selecting and producing C-suite thought-leadership campaigns for commercial and public sector audiences - as integrated marketing and communications campaigns. Leading and implementing regional corporate and consumer affairs strategies