Russell George is the Welsh Conservative Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire and has represented the constituency since 2011. Russell is the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Business, the Economy and Infrastructure, and is also Minister for Mid Wales. His role as spokesperson for the Welsh Conservative Assembly Group also includes responsibility for Tourism and Sport. He also Chairs the National Assembly for Wales' Economy, Infrastructure & Skills Committee and is Chair of the Cross Party Group on Transport.
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. Russell was elected to Powys County Council in 2008 and was a member of the Council’s executive management board between 2008 – 2011.
On his election to the National Assembly for Wales in 2011, he was appointed the Shadow Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development before becoming Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs between 2014 – 2016. In May 2016, Russell was returned to the Assembly with an increased majority.
Between 2013 – 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 4th Assembly he was an active member of the Assembly’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, and the Petitions Committee.
His 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 has been heavily involved in promoting the Newtown bypass and in campaigning for improved broadband in rural areas of Wales. He has also been involved in lobbying for a Mid Wales Growth deal for the region.
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 Vice President of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, 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.
Before being elected to the Assembly, Russell was a town councillor, school governor, was on the Board of Coleg Powys, and was a member of the Theatr Hafren Management Committee.