Russell Solts. Built on experience.

SEG Group: SEGplc · SEGcore · SEGwifi

Russell Solts Commercial Director · 35+ years in business

• 35+ Years running businesses and employing people
• 1999 Helped BT and Cisco install the original dial-up network
• ECA Former Council Member and Board Member
• 15 Years a Parish Councillor, Colney Heath

Russell Solts: from the stage to the boardroom

From the lighting rig at the National Theatre to national infrastructure, international data projects and the boardroom, every stage of Russell's career has been built on precision and delivery.

• Start

Lighting Technician · National Theatre

Russell started out lighting productions at the National Theatre, where precision, timing and zero tolerance for failure were the standard. It was there he decided his future lay in electrical contracting.

• Training

Apprentice Electrician · Alpha Commercial Developments

A full apprenticeship on major infrastructure, including London Heathrow Airport. Russell then worked with Westinghouse Cubic on London Underground, installing the original LU ticketing systems and gates across the network. Following the King's Cross fire, he installed the temporary ticket office that kept the station operating.

• Heathrow Airport
• London Underground
• Westinghouse Cubic
• Ticketing & gates
• 35+ years

Founder · own electrical contracting business

Russell Solts went on to found his own electrical contracting business, trading under names including Smartplc, and has been running businesses and employing people ever since. Landmark work included helping BT and Cisco install the original dial-up network in 1999, and a large building fit-out for the US Department of the Navy.

• BT
• Cisco
• US Department of the Navy
• Smartplc
• International

Calvin Klein · distribution warehouse, Rotterdam

As a UK contractor, the business designed, installed and commissioned the complete data and copper infrastructure for Calvin Klein's new distribution warehouse in Rotterdam.

• Design
• Installation
• Commissioning
• Data & copper infrastructure
• Scale

National clients

The business delivered for some of the UK's largest organisations, including a parking solution for Tesco and installations across Amazon warehouses. Russell's teams also installed the original SMART Boards and large-scale AV in numerous schools and offices, bringing interactive classrooms and meeting rooms to life at the start of the digital era.

• Tesco
• Amazon
• Schools
• Offices
• SMART Boards
• Large-scale AV
• June 2024

Merger · SEG Group

Merged his business with Michael Simm to found The Specialist Electrical Group. Russell Solts leads commercial and finance; Michael leads operations. Russell is also the founder of Smart Wireless, now the group's dedicated Wi-Fi division.

Shaping the industry, not just working in it

Russell Solts has served as a Council Member and Board Member of ECA, the Electrical Contractors' Association. Founded in 1901, ECA is the UK's leading trade association for the electrotechnical and wider engineering services industry.

• ECAElectrical Contractors' Association The UK's leading trade association for electrotechnical and engineering services, founded 1901
• ECACouncil Member Helping set the direction of the Association nationally
• ECABoard Member Governance and strategy at board level
• ECARegional Chair Leading representation for contractors across the region
• ECABranch Chair Leading the local branch and its members
• PUBLIC SERVICEParish Councillor 15 years on Colney Heath Parish Council, including a term as Chair

“99% perfection is 100% failure. We strive to deliver excellence.”

An eye for detail

Russell holds every job, contract and client relationship to the same standard: nothing leaves SEG until it is right. Near enough is never good enough.

Commercial discipline

Russell leads commercial and finance across the group, so that every contract is sound, every client is clear on what they are getting, and every project is set up to succeed from day one.

Experience that counts

More than 35 years of running businesses and employing people, from national infrastructure to international projects, gives clients a partner who has seen and solved it before.

Three companies, one standard

Russell Solts and Michael Simm lead a group built around one idea: the same engineers who run the power also run the data, the security and the Wi-Fi.

SEG plc

Installation, compliance and EICR testing, fire detection, solar PV and battery storage, and reactive maintenance across London and the South East.

SEG core

The group's IT managed service provider, including data and security systems.

SEG wifi

The group's dedicated Wi-Fi division, founded on Russell's business Smart Wireless.

Giving back, and seeing the world

For 15 years Russell Solts served as a Parish Councillor on Colney Heath Parish Council, including a term as Chair. That same commitment to the local area drives SEG's community work today.

• Public service 15 years as a Parish Councillor on Colney Heath Parish Council, including a term as Chair.
• Local investment A commitment to local jobs, local suppliers and apprenticeships.
• Beyond work In his spare time you'll often find Russell in an airport lounge on his way to Spain or a far-away city. He loves to travel and to cruise.

SEG is a proud local sponsor of St Albans City FC, alongside a commitment to local employment and apprenticeships across the group.

About Russell Solts

Quick answers for anyone looking up Russell Solts of SEG Group.