Russell Tilsed
Solihull
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in people management, business development, and sales strategy. Proven track record in value selling, P&L management, and negotiations, driving significant revenue growth and optimising KPIs. Adept at Salesforce restructuring, channel partnerships, and leadership, ensuring customer success through MEDDIC, SPIN Selling, and ROI Selling methodologies. Skilled in keynote presenting and new account development with a focus on achieving long-term business objectives.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Sales EMEA
8x8
04.2022 - 01.2025
- Company Overview: Cloud CX Software incorporating UCaaS, CCaaS, CPaaS and AI (NASDAQ: EGHT)
- Drove a significant, 31% improvement in efficiency and performance in the European Go-to-market function through a team of sales managers and directors of Enterprise, Public Sector, Commercial and Account Management teams
- Reporting to the CEO and more recently the Global CRO
- Revenue Targets of between 24M and 30M with top performances of 94%, 103% and 96% (projected) in respective FYs
- Significantly restructured and optimized the salesforce, enhancing performance and driving 100%+ target achievement for over 70% of the team
- Peak and trough team of 54 > 27 individual contributors, within a wider GTM function of 150 > 109
- Implemented new product and cross sell strategies from Technology partners (including the likes of Cognigy, Verint and PCI Pal)
- Provided executive support to customers, prospects and to partner organisations such as Softcat, Wavenet, VM02 and many more
- Contributed to the NPI (new product introduction) process and existing customer ARPU
- Cloud CX Software incorporating UCaaS, CCaaS, CPaaS and AI (NASDAQ: EGHT)
Sales Director, Public Sector
8x8
09.2015 - 01.2022
- Company Overview: Cloud CX Software incorporating UCaaS, CCaaS, CPaaS and AI (NASDAQ: EGHT)
- Built the Public Sector business from the ground up, generating £200M in lifetime revenue across ~200 organizations
- Developed and scaled sales team, promoting two to Sales Director roles, focusing on NHS, education, and government sectors
- Notable marquee wins include HCMTS (£5M+), Track and Trace Scotland (£1.5M+), Manchester Council (£1M+), Liverpool Council (£1M+), Bristol University (£700k)
- Partnered with key resellers such as Softcat, Agilisys, Virgin Media, leading the verticalized marketing strategies, including the launch of a senior customer advisory board for Public Sector
- Cloud CX Software incorporating UCaaS, CCaaS, CPaaS and AI (NASDAQ: EGHT)
Head of Public Sector Sales
8x8
09.2015 - 01.2017
- Company Overview: Cloud CX Software incorporating UCaaS, CCaaS, CPaaS and AI (NASDAQ: EGHT)
- Initiated 8x8’s UK Public Sector presence, securing key frameworks such as Digital Marketplace and RM1045
- Facilitated multi-million-pound deals, driving adoption of 8x8’s UCaaS solutions in government and public services
- Cloud CX Software incorporating UCaaS, CCaaS, CPaaS and AI (NASDAQ: EGHT)
Head of Account Management
Voicenet Solutions
09.2010 - 01.2015
- Company Overview: Acquired by 8x8 in 2013
- Established a direct sales channel, achieving
- Drove 300% growth for top 10 accounts, adding £144K in annual revenue through strategic upselling
- Recruited and managed a high-performing team, maintaining alignment with KPIs and business goals
- Acquired by 8x8 in 2013
Managing Director/Owner
Synkronicity
04.2007 - 11.2010
- Founded a telecoms and IT services company, achieving Microsoft Gold Partner status
- Scaled operations to include a team of four AEs, securing key accounts in the mid market
Business Development and Projects Manager
GSH Group
12.2004 - 03.2007
- Generated £750K in new business and Project managed a large energy savings project for Tesco PLC
- Early career work post university involved successful direct selling in the recruitment sector
Education
Bachelor of Science (Hons) - Physics with Space Science
Leicester University
01.1998 - 1 2001
A Levels - Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics
Solihull Sixth Form College
01.1996 - 1 1998
Head Pupil - 9 GCSEs
Alderbrook Secondary School
Solihull 01.1991 - 1 1996
Skills
- People Management
- Business Development
- Revenue growth
- Negotiations
- Channel Partnerships
- MEDDIC
- ROI Selling
- Keynote Presenting
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Custom
Available upon request
Affiliations
- Outdoor adventure, group cycling events
Accomplishments
Top Region 10 Quarters out of 12 Globally
4x Promotions in same org
27,000 lives saved during the pandemic
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Vice President, Sales EMEA
8x8
04.2022 - 01.2025
Sales Director, Public Sector
8x8
09.2015 - 01.2022
Head of Public Sector Sales
8x8
09.2015 - 01.2017
Head of Account Management
Voicenet Solutions
09.2010 - 01.2015
Managing Director/Owner
Synkronicity
04.2007 - 11.2010
Business Development and Projects Manager
GSH Group
12.2004 - 03.2007
Bachelor of Science (Hons) - Physics with Space Science
Leicester University
01.1998 - 1 2001
A Levels - Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics
Solihull Sixth Form College
01.1996 - 1 1998
Head Pupil - 9 GCSEs
Alderbrook Secondary School
01.1991 - 1 1996
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