Expect Distribution’s head of human resources Amy Russell has been promoted to board director.
Since joining Expect in February 2024, Russell’s responsibilities, which she will retain, have included designing and implementing a people strategy supporting the growth of its businesses and staff.
She has also spearheaded strategic initiatives and roadmaps in fields such as talent and learning, compensation and benefits, plus organisational design and development.
Russell’s role has additionally covered human resources (HR) data and platforms, including implementing new technologies to streamline operations and enhance colleague experiences.
She has also been responsible for areas such as talent acquisition, reward and recognition, employee engagement, workforce planning and HR change projects.
As a director, Russell will make an increased input into Expect’s wider business strategy, seeking to add value from her knowledge and experience.
Her role will also include ensuring the group’s actions and outputs remain consistent with its unique culture and values.
Russell said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the board and contributing to shaping the future of Expect. My excitement is two-fold.
“Firstly, I’m committed to driving our group strategy forward, ensuring we continue to stand out as a leader in our field. Expect is a progressive, forward-thinking business that strives for excellence in everything we do. Keeping this ethos at the heart of our people strategy and employee experience is a priority for me.
“Secondly, I’m eager to broaden my impact beyond HR. Having led large-scale platform implementations and with a strong foundation in marketing from my early career, I’m looking forward to helping shape Expect’s overall future.
“I’m truly passionate about our business and people, and I feel privileged to hold a position that allows me to steer our journey ahead.”
Russell’s senior HR, talent and learning management career started in 2012, when she joined RAM Tracking, based in Hunslet, Leeds, as HR manager. This company provides fleet management solutions for businesses.
Her logistics experience began five years later, when she joined palletised freight delivery service company Walkers Transport, based in Morley, near Leeds, as HR business partner. There, she worked with Matthew Kilner, now Expect group co-owner and managing director, as part of the leadership team.
After nearly two-and-a-half years at Walkers, Russell moved to GXO Logistics, where she spent over two years as HR lead for the M&S UK and international food, clothing and home contract. Her responsibilities for the retailer included overseeing HR, leadership development, payroll and communications teams.
At GXO, Russell also spent over two-and-a-half years as international senior manager for HR, talent and learning. In that role, she led multiple talent development programmes for over 130,000 employees, across 27 countries, including early careers, corporate compliance and continuing professional development initiatives.
She also oversaw transformational business projects and new system implementations.
Matthew Kilner, Expect director, said: “Amy’s elevation is thoroughly merited, as her strategic approach and track record of success make her an invaluable addition to the board. She’s driven our people strategy with clear ownership and accountability, quickly becoming an integral part of our leadership team.
“Amy has already been instrumental in many changes to Expect group, leading from the front and working strategically with peers to deliver high quality projects providing the right outcomes for the business and our people.
“She embraces change, moves at a pace aligned with our needs and I’m confident having Amy’s direct input into board decisions will strengthen us further, as a leading logistics provider and employer of choice.”
Educated at Silcoates School, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, Ms Russell has a first-class honours degree in enterprise development and business studies from the University of Huddersfield. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and holds qualifications, such as diplomas and certificates, from respected professional bodies in fields including talent management, neuro linguistic programming and marketing.
