Mr Richard Lester AM was a member of the Board of Directors of WAIMR from 1999 and became Chairman of the Institute in 2002. He retired from both positions in May 2009.

Mr Lester held the role of Chairman on various committees providing governance, oversight and management of stakeholder relations in the development and completion of two new medical research buildings for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, located at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Nedlands and the Fiona Stanley Hospital in Murdoch.

Mr Lester was founder and Chief Executive Officer of Growth Equities Mutual Limited, the Manager of the Growth Equities Group of public investment trusts which became market leader in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

He was a member of Murdoch University Senate for 6 years, the inaugural Chairman of the Murdoch Veterinary Trust and a Director of Wesfarmers Limited, a position he held for 13 years until 30 June 2008.