Directors
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.
Co-founder · Commercial Director
Russell Solts. Built on experience.
Russell Solts began his career in theatre lighting and has run his own businesses, employing and developing people, for over 35 years. His work spans London's transport and airport infrastructure through to international data projects. Today he co-leads SEG Group from St Albans, heading commercial and finance across the group.
SEG Group: SEGplc · SEGcore · SEGwifi
Russell SoltsCommercial Director · 35+ years in business
- 35+Years running businesses and employing people
- 1999Helped BT and Cisco install the original dial-up network
- ECAFormer Council Member and Board Member
- 15Years a Parish Councillor, Colney Heath
Career
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.
Industry leadership
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' AssociationThe UK's leading trade association for electrotechnical and engineering services, founded 1901
- ECACouncil MemberHelping set the direction of the Association nationally
- ECABoard MemberGovernance and strategy at board level
- ECARegional ChairLeading representation for contractors across the region
- ECABranch ChairLeading the local branch and its members
- PUBLIC SERVICEParish Councillor15 years on Colney Heath Parish Council, including a term as Chair
How Russell works
“99% perfection is 100% failure. We strive to deliver excellence.”— Russell Solts
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.
SEG Group
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.
SEGplc
Installation, compliance and EICR testing, fire detection, solar PV and battery storage, and reactive maintenance across London and the South East.
SEGcore
The group's IT managed service provider, including data and security systems.
SEGwifi
The group's dedicated Wi-Fi division, founded on Russell's business Smart Wireless.
Community and beyond
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 service15 years as a Parish Councillor on Colney Heath Parish Council, including a term as Chair.
- Local investmentA commitment to local jobs, local suppliers and apprenticeships.
- Beyond workIn 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.
Proud local sponsorSt Albans City FC
SEG is a proud local sponsor of St Albans City FC, alongside a commitment to local employment and apprenticeships across the group.
About
About Russell Solts
Quick answers for anyone looking up Russell Solts of SEG Group.
Who is Russell Solts?
Russell Solts is the co-founder and Commercial Director of SEG Group, a St Albans-based group covering electrical and renewables (SEGplc), IT managed services (SEGcore) and Wi-Fi (SEGwifi). He leads commercial and finance across the group.
What is Russell Solts' background?
Russell Solts began his career as a lighting technician at the National Theatre, then completed an electrical apprenticeship with Alpha Commercial Developments, working on Heathrow Airport and London Underground. He has run his own electrical contracting businesses for over 35 years, and is a former Council Member and Board Member of ECA.
Which companies does Russell Solts run?
Russell Solts co-leads SEG Group with Operations Director Michael Simm. The group includes SEGplc (electrical and renewables), SEGcore (IT managed services) and SEGwifi (Wi-Fi), which was founded on Russell's business Smart Wireless.
Where is Russell Solts based?
Russell Solts is based at SEG House, 192 Watford Road, Chiswell Green, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL2 3EB.