Russell Turner’s wedding day was one of the happiest days of his life. When he reflects back on the day and standing in front of his nearest and dearest, he values the role that TPG Telecom played in making it happen.

It all started over two decades ago when a fresh-faced Russell got a casual job working in a retail store for a Hutchison Telecommunications Group mobile brand. Although he was studying to become a primary school teacher, he quickly realised his passion lay elsewhere, and he decided to grow his career within Hutchison Australia, which merged with Vodafone in 2009.

Ten years later, Russell had progressed to a national role as Head of Retail when news of another merger reached his ears. This time, between Vodafone and the second-largest telco in Australia, TPG Telecom.

“Bringing those brands together meant we could offer our customers the best of both worlds. I’m passionate about the customer journey, and I love that we’re constantly looking for ways we can deliver a better experience for them. Although each of our brands are different, there’s strength in numbers, which allows us to take learnings from each, and apply them to enhancing the experience our customers have across all."

There’s no doubt you’ve walked into a shopping centre and seen the bright red glow of a Vodafone retail store. Well, it’s Russell and his team that lead our frontline, providing reliable access to SIM cards all over Australia. On top of that, he also looks after other retail outlets like supermarkets and convenience stores, as well as digital sales across many of our TPG Telecom brands. It’s an impressive breadth, one that makes Russell’s role as General Manager - Consumer Sales so rewarding.

“My team talks to customers day in, day out. As a leader, my role is to ensure that their feedback bubbles up so that we're solving the problems that will make a positive difference to our customers and our frontline team. I love that we're the custodians of the customer experience in that way. The choices we make and the actions we take will wash up on the shores of our stores. As leaders, what comes with the privilege, is the responsibility to make a positive difference on the experience all have with TPG Telecom, both our customers and our employees.”

In an industry where the technology is always evolving, adaptability is critical. Russell’s a self-confessed lover of change, which is why it’s somewhat surprising that he’s stayed loyal to the same organisation for so long. He says it’s the constant challenge that keeps him coming back.

Russell’s seen an equally powerful transformation in his own life since he first walked through the doors of the mobile store that changed the course of his career. Every step along the way, from the connections he’s made to the opportunities he’s grasped, has led to the ultimate happiness: welcoming his daughter into the world.

Not many people could say their job contributed to their life in the same way TPG Telecom has to Russell’s. Like all things in life, there are ups and downs, but he goes to bed every night grateful that it’s shaped him into the person he is today.

“I always get the question, what’s kept you here for so long?’ Everything I value most in life has a TPG Telecom fingerprint on it. That’s why I feel so at home here, it’s aligned with who I am as a person.”