James Russell is MD of B2B partnerships at AF Blakemore with responsibility for growing partnerships with retail and foodservice partners outside of the Spar fascia. James is active across the industry as a member of the FWD Council and a board member of Unitas Wholesale.

In his early career, James developed extensive experience in food and drink with Campbells-Arnotts in Australia and Japan Tobacco and Britvic Soft Drinks within Europe before crossing the floor to join the wholesale and convenience channel in the last 10 years as a wholesaler.