Russell started his career in 1986 with a UK life insurer and in 1991, he joined Munich Re as a Senior Marketing Analyst. 

He joined Swiss Re in 1994 and served in various roles in the Life & Health Reinsurance development and strategy teams. Between 2002 and 2005, he was Life & Health Country Manager for Japan and subsequently for South Korea.

In 2006, he moved to Sydney and served as Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Re's Australia and New Zealand operations.  From 2010 to 2015, he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer Reinsurance for UK and Ireland, based in London, and was named head of Life & Health Products Reinsurance in 2016.  He was appointed Chief Executive officer Reinsurance EMEA, Regional President EMEA and member of the Group Executive Committee in September 2018. With effect from July 2019, Russell assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer Reinsurance Asia and Regional President Asia.

In April 2022, Russell was appointed CEO Reinsurance Solutions and member of the Reinsurance Management Team.