Tim Russell at CDW - Episode 154

In This Episode of the Route to Networking Podcast

In this episode of the Route to Networking podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Tim Russell, Chief Technologist at CDW.

For those unfamiliar with CDW, they are the world’s largest value-added reseller. The name stands for Computer Discount Warehouse, and the company operates in 171 countries, with a physical presence in 150.

Tim is a passionate advocate for innovation and a STEM educator, with a career focused on helping businesses embrace technology to drive innovation and enhance communication. He’s also the host of his own podcast—no pressure for us—The CDW Octopod Podcast.

In this episode, George Barnes, CEO at Hamilton Barnes, speaks with Tim about how innovation and communication are key to success in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

From Boat Mechanic to Chief Technologist

Tim didn’t follow a conventional path into IT. His first job saw him don the overalls of a boat mechanic—not just any mechanic! As he puts it, he was up to his “elbows in grease, fixing engines.” Looking back, he recognises the connection between that hands-on work and his later career in IT—fixing things, whether on boats or in the binary world of computers.

After transitioning from mechanics to purchasing, Tim later moved into international sales for the same company. It was during this time that he found his way into the IT department, where he discovered his true passion.

Reflecting on his early days in IT, Tim recalls maintaining HP mainframes, working with 10BASE2 networks, using coaxial cables, and running Novell 3.12. He loved the technical side of things, which eventually led him to Pre-Sales. But for Tim, it was never about sales—it was always about the technology. Now, as Chief Technologist for Modern Workspace at CDW, he gets to work on cutting-edge innovations while being his authentic self—which is what excites him the most.

The Progression into Networking

When Tim first entered the industry, networking looked very different. Facilities teams managed telephone systems, and “networking” largely meant installing terminals on coaxial cables. Everything fell under the broad umbrella of IT.

Starting out with mainframe backups, Tim soon became fascinated by communications infrastructure—specifically Nortel Meridian systems. Moving beyond log-on scripts, he delved into comms and collaboration. He recalls when Cisco released Call Manager 3.2 in the early 2000s and how, in 2002, he helped build the largest Call Manager Cluster for the DWP in Amsterdam.

Tim reflects on how networking initially resisted voice-over IP (VoIP) because it wasn’t well understood. Over time, we’ve seen the evolution from “telephony” to “collaboration” to “comms & collaboration” and now simply to “communication.” Today, we no longer think about having a desk phone—we just think about how we communicate. These continuous shifts are what keep Tim engaged and excited about the industry.

Passion and Drive

Tim thrives on standing on stage and presenting the future of technology, especially in the modern workspace. He closely follows emerging trends and their impact on businesses, helping organisations move forward with the right tools and strategies.

In this episode, Tim shares what excites him most right now and discusses innovations that could be game-changers—especially for frequent travellers and those with hearing impairments.

Inspiring Future Technologists

Beyond his role at CDW, Tim dedicates time to inspiring the next generation of technologists. He shares how every great invention stems from someone looking at what exists and asking, “How can we make this better?”

For Tim, it’s all about driving innovation, sparking excitement, and showcasing the art of the possible. He’s passionate about empowering students to realise how they can make a real difference through technology.

Challenges, AI, and the Future

Tim highlights several challenges in the tech industry, from unrealistic expectations—where people assume tech alone can solve everything—to the importance of trust in hybrid working. He shares his thoughts on why he enjoys going into the office and how businesses need to understand office culture to get the best from employees.

As for AI, Tim reminds us that it’s been around for longer than many people realise—just think back to Clippy in Microsoft Word! He sees AI as a tool to enhance productivity, not replace jobs.

He uses a brilliant analogy involving riding a bike to explain AI’s role—one that’s definitely worth hearing!

Tim also explores the impact of AI on customer experience, explaining how real-time conversation monitoring can provide agents with instant prompts, coaching, and access to unlimited data—ultimately improving customer interactions. The same applies internally, where AI can enhance employee experience too.

From emerging innovations to potential game-changers, Tim discusses how businesses will benefit as these technologies come into production. He also addresses the skills gap and shares valuable advice for hiring managers navigating this challenge.

Career Advice and Quickfire Q&A

As always, we ask our guests for career advice—and Tim delivers some fantastic insights for aspiring Network Engineers.

To wrap up, we put Tim through our quickfire Q&A, where he reveals:
✅ The industry event he has on his must-attend list
✅ The biggest myth about working in tech
✅ The famous tech pioneer he’d love to meet—and why!

Find out more about Tim in this week’s episode of The Route to Networking podcast. Out now!  

Connect with Tim:

🔗 LinkedIn: Tim Russell
🎙 Podcast: CDW UK OCTOPOD