Advisory Council member

Ken Russell

Ken Russell is the third generation of a well-known Edinburgh entrepreneurial family with interests in construction, property and the automotive sectors.

Educated in Edinburgh, followed by a high school year in Chicago, Ken spent five years as a management trainee with a national construction group before joining his family construction business in Edinburgh. Following his father’s unexpected death Ken, then aged 25, assumed responsibility for his family’s business interests, which under his stewardship continued to flourish for the next 40 years, including acquiring one of Scotland’s most award winning motor dealerships and being a co-founder of the internationally renowned Howtowdie Restaurant in Edinburgh’s West End.

A Fellow of the Institute of Directors and the Royal Company of Merchants of Edinburgh for 45 years, Ken has also been a member of The Society of Edinburgh High Constables, Scottish Motor Trade Association, Federation of Master Builders (Past President), St Andrews Business Club (Past President), Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and a founder member of the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce.

Now resident in North-East Fife Ken, is a well-known business mentor, board advisor and is currently is non-executive chairman of two companies.

Views from the board

  • Having heard investors that I know well, actively stepping back from investing in the Scottish economy, I fear for the future and am urging business leaders to share their support for Scotland to remain in the Union of the United Kingdom. It will only be by strength of voice and an evidenced based case that we will be able to defend the will of Scottish businesses of all sizes to remain in the Union.
    — Robert D. Kilgour
  • Patriotism is a love for your country and as a proud Scot I have spent my career helping to build economic opportunities and in attracting investment. I am also proud to be British and passionately want the United Kingdom to endure.  To succeed in that aim, we must acknowledge that remaining part of the Union is a key lynchpin in growing Scotland’s wealth.
    — Jack Perry CBE