Russell has extensive experience in pub gaming and retail leisure as an operator and at board level. He provides gaming data management services and also F&B consultancy and design and build solutions to the leisure retail sector. He would like to gain NED experience.

Russell is the owner of Waypoint Leisure which was founded in 2012 following some 30 years operational management experience in the UK leisure and gaming industry at site, executive and board level.

Previous gaming management roles at Executive and Board level include Regional Manager, Operations Director, Commercial Director, Managing Director, Group Managing Director for Kunick Leisure, and Head of Gaming and Head of Retail Services for EI Group. Russell was also interim Commercial Director for Hawthorn Leisure at start up.

Waypoint Leisure offers bespoke gaming data management services through its own systems and web portal and liaises with retailers and operators throughout the UK in carrying out performance reviews, new business tenders and income development.

He is an advocate of digital pub gaming since its inception, working with developers on the delivery and testing of the original digital terminals in pubs as a replacement for the traditional AWP in the UK. He also is experienced in supplying and managing retail gaming offers on ferries, cruise ships and military bases around the globe.

Russell has represented UK tenanted pubs on the BBPA Amusement and Gaming Panel during consultations with the government relating to the Gambling Act 2003 and the introduction of Machine Gaming Duty.

Other roles in the pub sector include direct responsibility for teams in recruitment and training, legal services, supply chain and logistics, sales and marketing and licensed premises operations. He has a continuing and enthusiastic interest in pub gaming to facilitate change.

He also consults in the local authority leisure sector throughout the UK carrying out retail feasibility studies for new building projects and country parks, the design and installation of food and beverage schemes and staff training as part of large capital investments in the public leisure sector.

He is co-author of “The Reputation Book” published by LID Publishing in October 2017. He was a contributor to “250 Insights to Develop your Professional and Personal Life” published in December 2018.

Russell has held both UK and Isle of Man Gaming Board licences; is a former fellow of the BII; and a current UK licensed premises personal licence holder. He holds CITB certificates in Site Health and Safety Management and a BA (Hons) in Geography and French.