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 of experience in the city, including holding senior positions in the national and international banking sectors, William began his career with First Boston Corporation before joining Merrill Lynch as an Investment Banker. He currently serves as Honorary Visiting Professor at City, University of London, and is Chair of The Barbican Centre Board.
An educational entrepreneur, William is Co-Founder of Knightsbridge School and a Director of Knightsbridge Schools International. He is a member of the Supervisory Board at Telelink Business Services in Sofia; serves as Non-Executive Director at Augmentum Fintech and sits on the Board of Directors at Red Savannah Ltd.
William was elected Alderman for Bread Street Ward in 2013 and has served on several of the City of London Corporation Committees. He sits on the Board of TheCityUK. He is also active...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 of experience in the city, including holding senior positions in the national and international banking sectors, William began his career with First Boston Corporation before joining Merrill Lynch as an Investment Banker. He currently serves as Honorary Visiting Professor at City, University of London, and is Chair of The Barbican Centre Board.
An educational entrepreneur, William is Co-Founder of Knightsbridge School and a Director of Knightsbridge Schools International. He is a member of the Supervisory Board at Telelink Business Services in Sofia; serves as Non-Executive Director at Augmentum Fintech and sits on the Board of Directors at Red Savannah Ltd.
William was elected Alderman for Bread Street Ward in 2013 and has served on several of the City of London Corporation Committees. He sits on the Board of TheCityUK. He is also active as a London Ambassador of Cambridge Children’s Hospital.
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 to 1970, and his great-grandfather, Sir Frank Bowater, served in the same role from 1938 to 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.READ MOREVIEW LESS
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.
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.
Congham Hall is a luxury spa and hotel in Norfolk. It is set in 30 acres of parkland near Kings Lynn and Sandringham House, with luxury modern amenities and elegant gardens.
Award-winning travel agency Red Savannah specialises in bespoke holidays to South America, the Indian Ocean, Asia and Africa, and luxury villas in the Caribbean and Europe. It seeks to bring craftsmanship and real experience back to the forefront.
Independent membership association Innovate Finance represents the United Kingdom's global fintech community. By supporting the next era of technology-led financial services trendsetters, the non-profit aims to increase Britain’s lead position in the financial services sector on a global scale.
William worked in New York, Asia and London for Merrill Lynch, one of the world’s top wealth management providers and a specialist in securities trading and sales, investment and corporate finance.
First Boston Corporation
1987
-
1992
London, UK
Founded in 1932, First Boston Corporation was an investment bank based in New York. It became CS First Boston in 1988 when it was acquired by Credit Suisse.
Sir William Russell was elected Chair of the Barbican Centre Board after previously serving as Deputy Chair. He has been a Trustee of the Barbican Centre Trust (the charitable arm of The Barbican Centre) since May 2022.
Telelink Business Services (TBS) is a global system integrator that provides IT solutions, mainly simplifying IT for businesses and enabling digital transformation.
TheCityUK is a private-sector membership and industry advocacy group responsible for the promotion of the UK-based financial and related professional services industry.
The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a prestigious conservatoire and drama school providing a stimulating atmosphere for stage managers, musicians, actors and theatre specialists to grow as artists and professionals.
Knightsbridge Schools International is an intercontinental school network with campuses in Portugal, Colombia, Panama, and Montenegro. Its concept and ideals are based on the success of Knightsbridge School, and are driven by its particular ethos and the KSI Code.
Since 1371, The Charterhouse has witnessed numerous key events in London's history. It has served as a monastery, a stately residence, a boys school, and an almshouse.
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.
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.
Children at Knightsbridge School have access to a wide range of experiences developed to excite and inspire them while cultivating their unique abilities and values. The children are given the advice and support they need to grow into independent and responsible individuals.
The Royal Court is a global leader in the active cultivation of playwrights – undiscovered, rising and recognised. It acquires and examines a large volume of new material, exhibiting an ambitious programme each year in its two locations in London's Sloane Square.
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.
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
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.
Durham Inspired
Member of Campaign Board
Durham, UK
Durham Inspired is a historic philanthropic initiative that aims to keep Durham at the heart of learning, research, and education for future generations.
Established in 1967, the Royal Theatrical Support Trust is devoted to supporting theatrical organisations, particularly up-and-coming theatre professionals and regional-producing theatre businesses.
Place2Be is an influential children's mental health foundation based in London, offering in-school assistance and specialist training to help students, families, teachers, and school employees enhance their emotional wellness.
Prostate Cancer UK is the UK's first national prostate cancer foundation. Their goal is to enhance the care and well-being of prostate cancer patients, raise research funding, and increase public and political awareness.
St George's, University of London, was a medical school from 1834 to 2024. In August 2024, it merged with City, University of London to form City St George's, University of London.
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.
Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls
Governor
Elstree, UK
Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls is a private day school for girls aged 4 to 18, offering a rigorous, positive, stimulating, and safe environment.
In the rural areas of Newport in Shropshire, Haberdashers' Adams is a selective public grammar school for boys aged 11-18 as day boys or boarders, and day girls aged 16-18.
Established in 2008, Abraham Darby is a new Haberdashers academy. The academy is a company limited by guarantee that is tied to the Haberdashers' Adams Grammar School in Newport in a loose Federation.
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.
