Key interests and
achievements
Russell’s current priorities are to retain and improve local
public services for the people of Montgomeryshire. Russell also feels passionate
about encouraging younger people to get involved in public life and is keen to
support and encourage new business start-ups and small business growth. Russell
was heavily involved in promoting the Newtown bypass and is campaigning for
improved broadband in rural areas of Wales. He has also strongly opposed the
development of on-shore wind turbines across mid Wales. His personal interests
include keeping healthy. He is the President of the Montgomeryshire Area Scout
Council and the Deputy President of the Montgomeryshire MND Association. He is
also a member of Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, and is a member of Hope Church
in Newtown; as such he has been involved in many projects that support the
community.
Personal history
Russell was born in Welshpool in 1974 and was brought up and
attended school in Montgomeryshire. He has a degree in Information and Media
Studies from the University of Central England.
Professional
background
Before being elected to the Senedd, Russell was a town
councillor, school governor, was on the Board of Coleg Powys, and was a member
of the Theatr Hafren Management Committee.
Political history
Russell George is the Member of the Welsh Parliament for
Montgomeryshire and has represented the constituency since 2011. Russell is the
Shadow Minister for the Economy and Transport, and his role as spokesperson for
the Welsh Conservative Group also includes responsibility for Mid Wales. He has
chaired the Welsh Parliament’s Economy, Infrastructure & Skills Committee
since 2016. Russell was elected to Powys County Council in 2008 and was a
member of the Council’s executive management board between 2008 and 2011. On
his election to the National Assembly for Wales in 2011, he was appointed
Shadow Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development before becoming
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs between 2014 and 2016. In May
2016, Russell was returned to the Assembly with an increased majority. Between
2013 and 2016, Russell set up and chaired the Cross-Party Group on Digital
Communications which campaigned for improvements in the availability of
superfast broadband and mobile coverage in Wales and, during the Fourth
Assembly, he was an active member of the Assembly’s Environment and
Sustainability Committee and the Petitions Committee.
Register of Interests
Register
of Interests – Fifth Senedd (PDF, 3.25MB)
Register
of Interests – Fourth Assembly (PDF, 850kb)
