Simon and Gilda Russell, Lord and Lady Russell of Liverpool, have been ardent supporters of The Place for many years. As a nephew of Robin Howard, Simon had the privilege of growing up with The Place as an ever-present and normal part of family life. He first visited the Place in 1969 and has been a fan and supporter ever since. He spent over 30 years as an international headhunter.

A hereditary peer, Simon entered the Lords on the crossbenches in 1982, leaving after the 1999 House of Lords Act, returning from 2014-2026 as an elected hereditary peer. He is now a life peer and is a Deputy Speaker. He is an active member of the APPG for Arts & Heritage and the APPG for Dance. He is a trustee of the Foundling Museum, a Governor of the UK’s oldest children’s charity, Coram and is a Patron of Cavell.