Russ Shaw

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Russ Shaw
Born
Russ Shaw

United States
NationalityBritish
Alma materWashington University in St. Louis
Harvard Business School
OccupationTechnology advocate
Years active2013- present
Known forTech London Advocates (TLA)
Global Tech Advocates (GTA)
London Tech Week
TitleCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
SpouseLesley Hill
WebsiteTech London Advocates – Official site
Global Tech Advocates – Official site
London Tech Week – Official site

Russ Shaw CBE is a British business executive and technology advocate.[1][2][3]

He is the founder of Tech London Advocates (TLA), a private-sector led network launched in 2013 to support London’s technology sector, and Global Tech Advocates (GTA), its international counterpart comprising more than 42 interconnected networks across major tech hubs worldwide.[1][2][3]

Shaw has been involved in initiatives aimed at addressing skills shortages in the tech sector and has supported efforts related to digital skills development, workforce diversity, and access to technology-related careers.[1]

Early life and education

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Shaw was born in the United States and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) from Washington University in St. Louis, graduating in 1985.[4]

After completing his undergraduate studies, he worked at Ernst & Whinney (now part of Ernst & Young) in Los Angeles for two years before enrolling in an MBA programme at Harvard Business School where he met his future wife Lesley Hill.[4]

In 1992, Shaw moved to London, originally on a temporary basis. He remained in the United Kingdom and subsequently held roles in finance and technology, including involvement in initiatives related to the development of the city’s tech sector.[5]

Career

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Shaw has held senior leadership positions at several technology companies, including Skype, Telefonica/O2, and Virgin Media. He also served as CEO of the mobile messaging startup Mobileway, which was later acquired by Sybase in a deal valued at approximately USD 425 million. He served as Global Innovation Director at Telefónica.[4][6][7]

At Skype, Shaw served as Vice President and General Manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, where he led the launch of the company’s mobile services on iOS and Android platforms. He remained with Skype until its acquisition by Microsoft in 2011.[8][4]

Other activities

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Tech London Advocates

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In 2013, Shaw founded Tech London Advocates (TLA) as a private-sector network aimed at addressing digital skills shortages and supporting the growth of London’s technology ecosystem.[9]

As of 2025, TLA includes over 15,000 technology professionals across the UK and operates through 42 working groups focused on various sectors and challenges within tech.[10][11]

The initiative later expanded globally with the launch of Global Tech Advocates (GTA).[12]

Global Tech Advocates

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Shaw founded Global Tech Advocates (GTA) in 2015 as an international extension of the Tech London Advocates (TLA) model. As of 2025, GTA comprises more than 42 local networks in over 60 countries, connecting tens of thousands of volunteer tech leaders and experts across six continents.[13][14][15]

London Tech Week

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Shaw was a co-founder of London Tech Week, which launched in 2014 as an annual technology festival in the UK capital.[16][17]

Shaw has contributed regularly to discussions and events during London Tech Week, regularly contributing opinion pieces and diaries reflecting on AI innovation, tech diplomacy, fintech, healthtech, and the challenges of tech regulation.[18][19][20][21]

Global tech advocacy

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Shaw has written and spoken on issues related to diversity in the technology sector, arguing that without addressing talent shortages and representation gaps, London’s global tech leadership could be compromised.[22]

Shaw’s work also extends to global engagement, including commentary on the role of India as a future tech magnet, the international presence of Turkish startups at London Tech Week, and calls for greater investment in semiconductor and chip innovation across Europe.[23][24][25]

In recent years, he has become an influential advocate for UK fintech policy, AI regulation, and expanding the UK’s digital economy, stressing the importance of long-term strategies to position Britain as a leader in emerging technologies.[26][27]

In 2024, Shaw emphasized the importance of a "sound foundation" for London to evolve into a global hub for artificial intelligence, particularly by focusing on collaboration between government, academia, and startups.[28]

He has contributed extensively to UK Tech News, writing about regional tech hubs, fintech, digital skills, and inclusive innovation. He also hosts a podcast series through Global Tech Advocates, interviewing founders and policy leaders globally.[29][30]

Recognition

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Shaw has been recognized multiple times in industry rankings, including the "UKtech50" list of the most influential people in UK IT by Computer Weekly, where he was praised for his advocacy and grassroots mobilization.[31]

He is a alumnus and supporter of Washington University in St. Louis, which honored him and his network-building achievements in 2022.[32]

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

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In the Queen’s New Year Honours List of 2021, Shaw was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to technology and business in London. He received the award during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in March 2022, where it was presented by Princess Anne.[33]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Russ Shaw on tech, digital skills and AI regulation". New Statesman. November 2023. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  2. ^ a b "Global Tech Meetup: Sri Lanka Edition held at Hilton Colombo". FT Business. March 5, 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  3. ^ a b "Hilton Colombo to host Global Tech Meetup: Sri Lanka Edition". Daily Mirror. February 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  4. ^ a b c d "Russ Shaw: champion of the London tech sector". Washington University in St. Louis. 2023. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  5. ^ "Russ Shaw: The man on a mission to turn London into the world‑beating home of tech". Evening Standard. January 15, 2016. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  6. ^ "The Urban Unconnected – White Paper" (PDF). Wireless Broadband Alliance via IHS Markit. June 2017. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  7. ^ "Russ Shaw: London's biggest tech cheerleader". Management Today. April 19, 2018. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  8. ^ "Russ Shaw: The man on a mission to turn London into the world‑beating home of tech". Evening Standard. January 15, 2016. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  9. ^ "Russ Shaw's Tech London Advocates founded with Saul Klein and Sherry Coutu". Growth Business. 2013. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  10. ^ "About – Tech London Advocates". Tech London Advocates. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  11. ^ "Tech London Advocates – Working Groups". Tech London Advocates. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  12. ^ "Community – Global Tech Advocates". Global Tech Advocates. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  13. ^ "About – Tech London Advocates". Tech London Advocates. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  14. ^ "'The biggest challenge is around talent…' – a conversation with Russ Shaw CBE". Spencer Stuart. March 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  15. ^ "Tech Nordic Advocates – as part of GTA". Tech Nordic Advocates. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  16. ^ "Russ Shaw". Innovate Finance. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  17. ^ "About – Tech London Advocates". Tech London Advocates. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  18. ^ "London Tech Week diary day one: AI takes centre stage". City A.M. June 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  19. ^ "London Tech Week day two: how can tech help solve the climate crisis?". City A.M. June 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  20. ^ "London Tech Week day 3: Let's use that NHS budget on tech". City A.M. June 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  21. ^ "London Tech Week day 4: Why deeptech will define the UK's economic future". City A.M. June 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  22. ^ "London tech companies warn lack of diversity will damage world-class tech sector". Bdaily. March 31, 2022. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  23. ^ "New India: the next global tech magnet". Computer Weekly. 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  24. ^ "Turkish firms make splash at Europe's largest tech festival in London". Anadolu Agency. June 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  25. ^ "London Tech Week: AI, IC design and chips drive UK's digital leadership". DigiTimes. June 14, 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  26. ^ "Opinion: Fintech in the UK – the next five years". UK Tech News. April 30, 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  27. ^ "London Tech Week 2024: Showcasing the UK's innovation credentials". UK Tech News. June 26, 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  28. ^ "Russ Shaw: Sound Foundation for London to Become AI Hub". Bloomberg. June 12, 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  29. ^ "Russ Shaw, Author at UK Tech News". UK Tech News. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  30. ^ "Podcast: Russ Shaw on Global Tech Advocates". UK Tech News. September 10, 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  31. ^ "UKtech50 2021: The most influential people in UK IT". Computer Weekly. 2021. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  32. ^ "Tech network earns high honors". Washington University in St. Louis. April 28, 2022. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  33. ^ "Queen names Olin alum a commander of the British Empire for business, tech contributions". Washington University in St. Louis. March 19, 2021. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
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