Nicky Russell

​Nicky is Managing Partner and co-founder of We Deliver Change, a change management agency specialising in creative and marketing operations.

She chairs Henry Stewart’s Creative Operations conference, recognised as the foremost authority on creative operations in Europe, and is also co-founder of the In-House Agency Leaders Club (IHALC), which champions the in-house creative community and raises industry standards. A recognised industry leader, Nicky was named an IPA Woman of Tomorrow in 2016.

Her reputation is built on challenging convention — whether that’s designing new business models or breaking down barriers for underrepresented talent. Nicky is an entrepreneurial thinker who values integrity, embraces discomfort as a catalyst for change, and thrives in unfamiliar territory – where the greatest opportunities for growth and innovation are often found.

At 19, as a mother of two and living with a severe invisible disability, Nicky was determined to build a work-life balance around her children. By 30, she had made a commercial success of several businesses – including running her own football club – and was ready for a new challenge. Her entrepreneurial flair and diverse skill set enabled her to fast-track her career in the creative industry, going from runner to Anomaly COO in just eight years. During this time, she led the agency through its fastest growth period and helped deliver groundbreaking, award-winning work for Cancer Research UK.

She is a strong advocate for representing and attracting diverse talent, including neurodiverse individuals and those from challenging or non-traditional backgrounds – believing that authentic, impactful creative work comes to life when bringing different life experiences into the room.