William Russell
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Sheriff and Alderman
London, GB
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
THE MARQUE
In Their Own Right
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, William 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 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.
The Record
Background
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2013 — Present
Sheriff and Alderman
City of London
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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2012 — Present
Director
Congham Hall
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.
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2011 — Present
Director
Red Savannah
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.
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2015 — 2019
Advisory Council Member
Innovate Finance
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.
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1992 — 2006
Investment Banker, Institutional Equity Sales
Merrill Lynch
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.
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1987 — 1992
First Boston Corporation
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.
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2019 — 2021
Former Lord Mayor
City of London
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.
In The News
Newsfeed
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10 December 2024 · City St George’s, University of London
Former Lord Mayors become Honorary Visiting Professors
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3 May 2024 · City of London Corporation
Sir William Russell elected to lead Barbican Centre Board
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7 September 2023 · PR Newswire
GIP Launched ASEAN Chapter, Vision 2026 and New WG at its 5th Plenary Meeting
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31 January 2022
Augmentum Fintech Plc - Directorate Change
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31 December 2021 · Cambridge Independent
Queen’s New Year Honours 2022: Thriplow resident William Russell knighted
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11 November 2021 · London Stock Exchange
LSE welcomes Lord Mayor of London Alderman William Russell to celebrate the Green Horizon Summit
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1 November 2021 · Evening Standard
COP26: Banks and investors race to fund $150 trillion net zero push amid fears politics could fall
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29 October 2021 · GOV.UK
Armed Forces Covenant was signed by the Bank of England
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5 October 2021 · Khaleej Times
KT one-on-one: William Russell, Lord Mayor for the City of London
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Formative Years
Education
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Durham University
General Arts
1984 — 1987
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Eton College
1978 — 1983
Areas Of Focus