Staff Spotlight – Celebrating Gill Russell’s 25 Years at Forbes

After 25 incredible years, Gill Russell will be retiring from Forbes on 19th December. A phenomenal saleswoman, trusted colleague, and cherished friend to many, Gill has been a key part of our success across both Forbes Rentals and Forbes Professional.

Gill first joined Forbes in 2001, starting in our B2C sales team at Forbes Rentals. Prior to that, she had been a buyer and sales manager at Selfridges, overseeing three of their restaurants. She took a career break to focus on her young children before returning to Forbes, bringing with her a wealth of experience, energy, and expertise.

Over the years, Gill progressed to our commercial pillar, Forbes Professional, initially focusing on TV and AV provision. She quickly became a trusted partner within the hospitality industry, building strong relationships and a reputation for delivering results. Her work also played a pivotal role in expanding our presence in the healthcare sector, where she helped shape solutions and services that met client needs.

In response to industry demand, Gill also helped drive our growth in the commercial laundry market, leveraging relationships she had nurtured over the years and feeding back valuable insights to inform our business strategy. Her influence has been key in shaping the direction of our business, helping Forbes remain a trusted partner across multiple sectors.

Gill is known not just for her professionalism and sales acumen, but also for her character. Always up for a glass of wine or two, she has made countless friends along the way. Her warmth, humour, and dedication have left a lasting mark on colleagues and clients alike.

Gill leaves us to join her husband Ian in retirement and to enjoy time with her cherished grandchildren. She is also looking forward to walks in the country, travelling, and we have no doubt, hitting the ski slopes more often!

Kevin Herring, CEO of Forbes, said:
"Gill has been a key part of our success over the last 25 years. Her professionalism, dedication, and sense of humour have shaped our business in countless ways. She will be deeply missed, and we wish her every happiness in the next chapter of her life."

Gill reflected on her time at Forbes:

"Forbes has been such a huge part of my life over the past 25 years, and it has been a pleasure to watch the business grow during that time. It’s a fantastic company to work for, and I’ve loved working alongside my husband Ian and so many colleagues who have been part of the team for decades. I’m now looking forward to spending more time with my family and shifting my focus from work travel to personal travel - a passion we both share."

Join us in celebrating Gill’s incredible career and contributions. Her legacy at Forbes will be felt for many years to come.