Russell Gillespie in

Russell Gillespie

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Global Director │ Commercial Planning at Johnson Controls
📍 Ireland

Russell is a global commercial executive at Johnson Controls with over 20 years experience linking strategy to execution for multi-billion-dollar businesses. Specializing in commercial planning and customer transformation, he holds a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand. Colleagues describe him as a strategic, analytical, and passionate leader.

Outside of his corporate roles, Russell is deeply involved in the customer experience community, serving as a judge for the European Customer Centricity Awards and as a committee member for CXPA Ireland. His academic background is in marine science, suggesting an interest in the natural world.

Unique fact: He has authored scientific publications on the reproductive strategies of Sargassum seaweed off the coast of South Africa.

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Current Role
Global Director │ Commercial Planning
Location
Ireland
Personality Overview

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Priorities

Topics Russell cares about

Commercial Transformation
He leads global commercial planning at Johnson Controls, transforming processes for a $12B+ revenue organization supporting thousands of sales professionals.
Customer Experience
Previously led a CX advisory practice and remains active in the field as a committee member for CXPA Ireland and a judge for industry awards.
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Career

Work history

5-2025
Global Director │ Commercial Planning
Johnson Controls
5-2023 - 5-2025
Global Director │ Commercial Projects - Commercial Planning
Johnson Controls
9-2022 - 5-2023
Senior Manager │ EMEALA Process Improvement
Johnson Controls
1-2020 - 9-2022
Director │ Head of Customer Experience Advisory
W5 Powering Customer Experience
5-2016 - 12-2018
Senior Associate │ Customer Experience and Strategy
Futurelab
In the press

Media appearances

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Education
PhD
University of the Witwatersrand
BSc (Hons)
University of the Witwatersrand
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

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