Russell Higginbotham started his career 1986 with a UK life insurer and in 1991, he joined Munich Re as a Senior Marketing Analyst.

Russell Higginbotham joined Swiss Re in 1994 and served in various roles in the Life & Health Reinsurance development and strategy teams. Between 2002 and 2005, he was Life & Health Country Manager for Japan and subsequently for South Korea. In 2006, he moved to Sydney and served as Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Re's Australia and New Zealand operations. From 2010 to 2015, he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer Reinsurance UK & Ireland, based in London, and was named Head of Life & Health Products Reinsurance in 2016. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer Reinsurance EMEA, Regional President EMEA and member of the Group Executive Committee in September 2018.

In July 2019, Russell Higginbotham assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer Reinsurance Asia and Regional President Asia. In April 2022, he was appointed CEO Reinsurance Solutions and member of the Reinsurance Management Team. As of April 2023, Russell is a member of the Global Clients & Solutions executive committee.