Our Team
Richard (Dick) Lester AM, Chairman
Dick Lester is Executive Chairman of Lester Group. He has been in the real estate development business for many years, following a career in real estate sales, market research and valuations.
Dick was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Growth Equities Mutual Limited, a market – leading unlisted property trust in Australia with $1.6 billion under management. Lend Lease Corporation purchased the company in 1994.
Dick was a Non-Executive Director of Wesfarmers Limited for over 12 years until 30 June 2008. He was Chairman of the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, now the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, until his retirement in 2009 and is a member of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia.
On Australia Day 2010, Dick was appointed a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Western Australia through contributions to education, health and medical research organisations, and to business.
Dick was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Murdoch University in March 2010 in recognition and appreciation for his work as Inaugural Chairman and Trustee of the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust and for two terms each of three years as Senator of Murdoch University.
Adrian Lester, Executive Director
Adrian Lester is an Executive Director of the Lester Group of companies. He has over 30 years direct property experience with a background of real estate investment, development, property sales and commercial leasing in Perth and regional areas. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Valuation and Land Administration) from the Western Australian Institute of Technology.
Stuart Lester, Executive Director
Stuart Lester is an Executive Director of the Lester Group of companies. He has over 25 years direct property experience with a background of residential real estate development, property sales and commercial leasing in Perth and regional areas. He is a licensed real estate agent and holds a Bachelor of Commerce – Property from Curtin University and is a Member of the Real Estate Institute of WA and the Urban Development Institute of Australia.
Russell Lester, Executive Director
Russell has over 25 years experience in the Australian investment industry and global financial markets, building a broad range of investment management skills.
Russell holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Western Australia; a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (formerly Securities Institute of Australia); is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and a Member of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia.
Dan Donovan, Non-Executive Director
Dan has over 40 years experience in Corporate and Commercial Banking in Australia and overseas with a specific focus on property investment and development, oil and gas services, mining services, import and export finance and wholesale industries. Previous full time roles included Head of Property at National Australia Bank in WA and Regional Executive for WA at Bank of New Zealand Australia. Dan was previously a Non–Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee of LandCorp.
Andrew Hull, Chief Financial Officer
Andrew has over 30 years experience in financial management, including roles as CEO, CFO and company director. Andrew has worked in various industries including mining, timber and property industries, and has extensive experience in the financial services industry as an AFSL responsible manager. He is currently the CFO of the Lester Group, a responsible manager for Hull Trading Pty Ltd and Growth Equities Pty Ltd. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia.
Kerry Powell, Senior Development Manager
Kerry is a senior finance professional and Chartered Accountant with over 25 years property and property finance experience. Kerry’s previous role was with National Australia Bank Ltd as the Client Fulfillment Director of Corporate Property WA where he was responsible for a team of 7 staff and managing the Bank’s commercial property exposure to complex and sophisticated corporate property borrowers. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Business Law) and a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting. Kerry is also on the Board for Telethon Community Cinemas, a not-for-profit organisation.
Bill Marshall, CEO Edenlife
Bill’s extensive career began in the public and private Healthcare sector, and involved a variety of roles throughout Australia. In 2001, Bill’s transitioned into the home care sector as CEO of SwanCare Group. Bill has played a major role in a number of aged care developments, taking his skills to Aspen Communities, Westridge
Australia and National Lifestyle Villages. In 2018, Bill joined Lester Group as Edenlife CEO, with the opportunity to progress the development of affordable accommodation for active over 50’s.
Arul Radakrishnan, Group Accountant
Arul has extensive experience in tax and corporate accounting which he has built over the past 20 years. Prior to joining Lester Group in 2004, Arul was a senior accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers for 6 years (Malaysia and Australia). Arul holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Accounting & Economics and went on to complete his Master of Commerce degree, majoring in Accounting from Deakin University, Victoria.
Brad Spargo, General Manager – Commercial & Industrial Property
Brad has over 20 years direct property experience across commercial, residential and industrial investment and development around Australia. He is a qualified valuer and licensed real estate agent, an Associate of the Australian Property Institute and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Property) from Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia.
Liz Carney, Accounts Administrator
Liz has been with the Lester Group for 10 years but has over 20 years experience in accounts and payroll. During her time at the Lester Group Liz’s duties have varied in all aspects of accounts, payroll, office management and contract management
Emma Hughes, Office Secretary
Senior Executive Assistant with over 10 year’s experience working for Managing Director and Director of Business Development within the Defence Industry of multinational company L-3 Communications Nautronix Limited. Prior to this Emma was part of the successful team opening Harvey Norman Osborne Park store as PA to the Proprietors.