Russell worked at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for nearly three decades, most recently as President of SR One, GSK's Corporate Venture Group. Prior to joining SR One, he served as President of GSK's Pharmaceuticals International from 2003 to 2008 and also on the GSK Corporate Executive Team. Russell originally joined GSK (then SmithKline & French) in 1980, working in the tumor and cell biology departments. Following the merger with Beecham in 1991, he was appointed Vice President of Project Management. From 1993 to 1996, he served as Vice President and Director of Advanced Technologies in Genetics where he was responsible for managing collaborations with The Institute of Genomic Research and Human Genome Sciences. In 1996, Russell joined SmithKline Beecham's European Pharmaceutical Operations as Vice President and Director of European Market Development- he was later appointed Managing Director and General Manager of SmithKline Beecham's UK Pharmaceuticals. Following the merger of SmithKline Beecham with GlaxoWellcome in 2000, he returned to the United States as Senior Vice President for Worldwide Business Development.

Interest in the tumor , cell biology and Human genomic Research.