‘Be useful’: Five minutes with Stephen Russell, director of data, strategy and technology at Warwickshire Police
In this sister series to our ‘Five minutes with’ interviews, we share insights from the civil and public service leaders who will speak at our Innovation conference. Taking place in London on 25 and 26 March, attendees will hear about how their peers are developing new approaches to policymaking and service delivery.
In this interview, Stephen Russell, director of data, strategy and technology at Warwickshire Police and member of the National Police Chiefs’ Council AI Delivery Board – who will speak at Innovation 2025 in the session How artificial intelligence can lead to greater productivity – tells GGF about digital transformation projects, learning from Australia, and the “incredible opportunities” offered by the public sector.
Click here to find out more and register for Innovation 2025
What are you most interested in discussing at Innovation 2025?
I am most interested in hearing perspectives from different sectors and different countries on the innovation landscape and how they ensure adoption and real change on the ground.
What have you achieved in your career that you’re most proud of?
I was heavily involved in a significant digital transformation in my current role where we effectively rebuilt our whole IT provision from scratch at pace in very challenge circumstances. As a police force, the implications for our workforce and the public are obvious. Whilst there is always more to do, this work has set the force up to make significant improvements in our service.
What more do you want to achieve before you retire?
Wow, that’s a big question. I guess I would like to be able to reflect and identify at least one big idea or activity where I felt like I really did make a difference and something significant changed as a result. Something tangible I can point to that genuinely moved the dial.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your working life?
Be useful. Its obvious but someone who can help resolve problems rather than just describe them will always stand out.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the civil service?
Be proud of what you do and what you can achieve. Don’t fall into the lazy trap that often gets put out that somehow civil service or public sector work is inferior to the private sector. There are incredible opportunities to do interesting work if you are prepared to work hard and seek these out.
Can you name one lesson or idea from abroad that’s helped you and your colleagues?
Most recently, we were looking to change our approach to our mobile hardware, and we ended up having several conversations with a police force in Australia. They provided us with useful insights and reassurance to proceed with our approach, which was the first such approach in the UK. The only downside was there was no visit as a result!
Are there any projects or innovations in the UK that might be valuable to your peers overseas?
I work in policing, and whilst we are far from perfect, I still think that our police service is the envy of many across the world.
What attributes do you most value in people?
Positivity, empathy, hard work.
What is your most treasured possession?
I know it’s a cliché but I have two young children so it’s a no brainer!
What is your favourite book?
Two books that stick out are ‘Thinking fast and slow’ by Daniel Khanemann and ‘The tiger that isn’t’ by Michael Blastland & Andrew Dilnot. But honestly, I do like a good legal fiction story and used to read a lot of John Grisham!
What is your dream holiday destination?
On my bucket list is to go to Australia to watch England play in the Ashes.
Click here to find out more and register for Innovation 2025
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