Dug Russell

Dugald’s twenty-year corporate career in senior financial and CEO roles, both in Australia and overseas, led to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Australia’s leading foodservice business, with annual revenues in excess of $560 million and around 9,000 employees across Australia and New Zealand.

During his time as CEO, the business doubled in size, was judged to be one of the “Top Ten Best Employers in Australia”, won the “Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year” award, and was consistently a finalist in the “Prime Minister’s Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Awards”.

While based in Europe as CFO within the world’s leading foodservice operator, Dugald played a leading role in establishing multi-million-dollar businesses in overseas markets including Germany, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, Bosnia, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.

Back in Australia, in 2004 Dugald co-founded Message Stick Communications with partner Michael McLeod, now a successful Aboriginal-owned telecommunications company, and in 2009 he was a co-founder of Supply Nation (formerly AIMSC). His support for disadvantaged sections of society and personal commitment to improving life for Indigenous Australians is recognised through his membership of the NSW Premier’s Aboriginal Business Roundtable. Dugald is also a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants.

Now a Director of the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium, Dugald is here to help governments and industry create a platform for the next generation of Indigenous business entrepreneurs and owners.

Dug is married to Di, has two daughters, and enjoys sailing, golf and cycling.