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Sir William Russell

Former Lord Mayor

City of London

London, UK


William Russell
Ian Rosenblatt
Rosenblatt
Jeffrey Sachs
Sachs Policy Group

William Russell’s Biography

Sir William Russell took office as Lord Mayor of the City of London in November 2019. To ensure continuity of leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, he served a second term and remained in office until November 2021.

With over thirty years’ experience in the City, including holding senior positions in the national and international Banking sectors, William started his career with First Boston before joining Merrill Lynch as an Investment Banker. He is currently Chair of CDAM, a London based Asset Management business and Senior Advisor to STJ Advisors.

William is on the Board of Innovate Finance, the industry body for the UK Fintech community. An educational entrepreneur, he is Co-Founder of Knightsbridge School and a Director of Knightsbridge School International. William is also a Director of Congham Hall Hotel and Red Savannah Travel. He is a member of the Campaign Board for the philanthropic campaign, Durham Inspired.

He has many current charitable interests including the Guildhall School of Music and Drama; the Royal Theatrical Support Trust; Place2Be, a children’s mental...
Sir William Russell took office as Lord Mayor of the City of London in November 2019. To ensure continuity of leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, he served a second term and remained in office until November 2021.

With over thirty years’ experience in the City, including holding senior positions in the national and international Banking sectors, William started his career with First Boston before joining Merrill Lynch as an Investment Banker. He is currently Chair of CDAM, a London based Asset Management business and Senior Advisor to STJ Advisors.

William is on the Board of Innovate Finance, the industry body for the UK Fintech community. An educational entrepreneur, he is Co-Founder of Knightsbridge School and a Director of Knightsbridge School International. William is also a Director of Congham Hall Hotel and Red Savannah Travel. He is a member of the Campaign Board for the philanthropic campaign, Durham Inspired.

He has many current charitable interests including the Guildhall School of Music and Drama; the Royal Theatrical Support Trust; Place2Be, a children’s mental health charity; Charterhouse and Morden College.

William was elected Alderman for the Ward of Bread Street in 2013, has served on many of the City of London Corporation Committees and is currently a Governor of the City of London School for Girls.

He is a Court Assistant to the Haberdashers’ and Feltmakers’ Livery Companies and an Honorary Liveryman of the Paviors’ Company.

William was the 692nd Lord Mayor and the fifth member of his family to be Lord Mayor in the past 110 years. His grandfather, Sir Ian Bowater, was Lord Mayor from 1969 - 1970 and his great grandfather, Sir Frank Bowater, from 1938 - 1939.

To recognise his services to Innovation, Culture, and Wellbeing in the City of London particularly during Covid-19, William was awarded a Knighthood in HM The Queen's New Year Honours List 2022.
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William Russell’s Newsfeed

PR Newswire
GIP Launched ASEAN Chapter, Vision 2026 and New WG at its 5th Plenary Meeting

Former Lord Mayor of London and co-chair of Green Investment Principles (GIP), Sir William Russell, emphasised how crucial transition was for Emerging Markets to achieve net-zero when he was speaking at the GIP meeting in Beijing.

Augmentum Fintech Plc - Directorate Change

Sir William Russell was mentioned in PR Newswire's recent press release regarding the announcement of Sir William's appointment as Non-Executive Director of Augmentum Fintech plc effective from 1st April 2022.

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William Russell’s Background

City of London
Former Lord Mayor
Nov 2019 - Nov 2021
London, UK
The Lord Mayor of the City of London is a global ambassador for the United Kingdom’s financial and professional services sector. He also heads the City of London Corporation, an organisation which promotes and supports London as a place to live, work, study and be entertained.
 
City of London
Sheriff and Alderman
Mar 2013 - Present
London, UK
William has served on several Corporation Committees, including: Policy & Resources, Culture, Finance, Heritage & Libraries, the Livery Committee, Planning & Transportation, and the Education Board. He was elected Alderman in 2013, and also served as Sheriff in 2016-2017.
 
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Board Positions

Augmentum Fintech plc
Non-Executive Director
Apr 2022 - Present
London, UK
Augmentum Fintech plc invests in exceptional, fast-growing Fintech companies across Europe and helps them reach their full potential.
 
Dukes Education
Education Advisory Board Member
Sep 2018 - Present
London, UK
Dukes Education encourages academic success and helps pupils prepare for university. The EAB encourages best practices, serves as a thought leader, and helps to steer innovation.
 
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Advisory Roles

UK Government
Adviser to the Board of Trade
Sep 2020 - Present
London, UK
The Board of Trade was established to stimulate exports, inward investment, and outward direct investment in order to bring progress and economic growth to the United Kingdom.
 
STJ Advisors logo STJ Advisors logo
STJ Advisors
Senior Advisor
Jan 2015 - Present
London, UK
William served as a Senior Advisor for STJ Advisors, a renowned Independent Capital Markets Advisory that is focused on the performance of its corporate and financial sponsor clients.
 

Philanthropy

Cambridge Children's Hospital
Ambassador
Dec 2021 - Present
Cambridge, UK
Cambridge Children's Hospital will be the first hospital in the world to combine physical and mental health care for children in a way that no one has ever done before.
 
Morden College logo Morden College logo
Morden College
Trustee
Mar 2015 - Present
Blackheath, UK
Morden College is a non-profit organization controlled by a Board of Trustees in London. The organisation’s mission is to assist older adults by providing either an independent living environment, a home with some domestic assistance, or 24/7 residential care with nursing in their care home.
 
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Awards & Recognition

New Year Honours
Knighthood
2022
London, UK
Sir William Russell was knighted in 2022 for his contributions to culture, financial innovation, and wellbeing in the City.
 

Academic Appointments

The Honourable The Irish Society
Governor
Feb 2022 - Present
London, UK
The Honourable The Irish Society is a grant-making organisation that helps people in County Londonderry and the surrounding areas. It also looks after property and manages fishing for the benefit of the community.
 
City of London School for Girls
Governor
Mar 2013 - Present
London, UK
The City of London School for Girls is a prominent non-denominational school for girls. The school was founded by the Corporation of the City of London using funds from a donation from William Ward of Brixton.
 
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William Russell’s Education

Durham University
General Arts
1984 - 1987
Eton College
1978 - 1983

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