Tim Lester
Corporate and finance transaction and deal specialist, with particular expertise in corporate governance and advising on, facilitating, negotiating, structuring and managing cross border investments and transactions.
28+ years working in Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo and London supporting clients, working with and across from Governments and their agencies and industry bodies. Industry agnostic but deep experience across the energy and resources sectors as well as the high tech / deep tech, agribusiness, infrastructure, industrial and financial services sectors.
Senior roles leading global law firms in Australia and Japan, chairing industry bodies and not for profit organisations.
In addition to highly regarded leadership, transaction management, execution and strategic skills and support, expert in corporate governance, strategy and cross border transactions and, in particular, dealings across Asia (ex-Japan) and with Japan, having lived and worked in London and Hong Kong for several years and in Tokyo for approximately 12 years.
An advisor who really understands the dynamics and importance of cross border transactions, corporate governance, clients’ needs, the region and the drivers for getting deals done in Australia, regionally and globally.
An advisor whose experience is enriched by outstanding connections with Japan (and Asia more broadly) – having enjoyed a relationship with Japan (and Asia) for the last 30+ years. Chaired the Australia & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan for several years, served two terms as a board member of the Government’s Australia Japan Foundation and currently serving 12th year as an Executive Committee Member of the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (the peak bilateral business body between Japan and Australia). Advised and supported Government over many years on policy development, free trade negotiations and various key initiatives relevant to Australia and Japan. Fluent in Japanese.
Other current and past not for profit involvement includes Chairing the Ambassadorial Council for the Business School at the University of Western Australia and serving as a Director of the Foundation for the WA Museum and being a member of the Attorney General’s former International Legal Services Advisory Council.
Regular commentator and presenter on corporate governance, shareholder activism, cyber-security in the corporate context, project finance and trade and investment.