Bell Equipment UK, an international leader in the design and manufacturer of ADTs and distributor of Wheeled Loaders, has today announced the appointment of its new Scottish Sales Manager, Russell Conn. Russell joins Bell Equipment UK from Bell South Africa, where he has worked for the past 23 years.

Born in Zambia to Scottish parents, Russell moved to Scotland at the age of three months, where he lived until the family relocated to South Africa when he was 12 years old. On finishing school, he studied Civil Engineering before being drafted into the South African army. Upon completing his army duty, he studied hotel management and managed a small hotel and restaurant, before moving to Empangeni, the birthplace of Bell Equipment, five years later to manage a country club. It was here that in 1994 he met the then marketing manager of Bell Equipment and was invited to apply for the position of PR assistant.

Russell was successful and spent the next 12 years in the marketing team, where he was responsible for Bell Equipment’s attendance at exhibitions such as Hillhead, SED, bauma, Intermat and ConExpo. He also hosted international visitors at the Bell Equipment factory.

In 2006 Russell joined the Bell Equipment sales team, selling ADTs, Wheeled Loaders, Graders, and Excavators to the mining and construction sectors, as well as Tri-wheelers, Haulage Tractors, and Skidders to the sugar and forestry industries. In 2017 he decided to move back to the UK, where the rest of his family are already based.

Russell explains: “The move to the UK had been on the cards for a while and it was during a visit earlier this year that I applied for the role of Scottish Sales Manager. Following a stringent interview process I was offered the position.

“During my years at Bell I have seen its products evolve, both in terms of technological development and aesthetics. I have witnessed the advancement of its ADTs from the original B-series through to the current E-series machines. Experiencing this progression first hand, and knowing the company’s ethos for constant evolvement, were the main reasons for me wanting to stay within the Bell Equipment family.

“My daughter, mother and sister all live in Scotland, so it is like a coming home for me. I am very much looking forward to meeting our customers in the region and helping them better understand Bell Equipment, it’s machines and what we have to offer.”

Managing Director of Bell Equipment UK, Nick Learoyd, welcomes Russell to the team: “We are delighted that Russell has decided to remain within Bell Equipment and join us as our Scottish Sales Manager. His extensive experience of various facets of the company has given him an unsurpassed knowledge of both the industry and the Bell business, and we’re confident that this will enable him to provide our customers with the highest level of service.

“We know that Russell will quickly become an integral part of the team and we’re looking forward to seeing what the future holds,” adds Nick.