The Lester Prize for Portraiture is one of Australia's most prestigious portraiture art competitions where Australia's best portrait artists vie for over $100,000 worth of prizes.The exhibition of 40 finalists is held at the Art Gallery of WA in November each year, incorporates a youth competition and an extensive range of community engagement events and activities for art lovers and those new to art, bringing the public, artists and corporate supporters together.This competition relies on personal and corporate philanthropic support.

Russell is Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Growth Equities, an equity funds management business.

Russell is responsible for equity capital raising for Lester Group property syndicates.The Lester Group is a family property investment and development business based in Perth, Western Australia. They have extensive experience in managing their own and others money in property assets. Their properties are generally structured as investment partnerships where like-minded investors join with the Lester Group to acquire, own and or develop a property.In each case, the Lester Group has been the largest investor in the partnership and manage all aspects of the property and the investment.The Group has over 20 years property investment and development experience across the commercial, industrial and residential property sectors and has built an extensive portfolio. The Group's success is underpinned by a highly skilled and motivated team with diverse expertise across property sectors and corporate management.The Lester Group identifies and secures suitable properties and then facilitates investment by independent third parties with the Group. It actively manages the properties on an ongoing basis, endeavouring to maximise the financial returns by ensuring that the properties are fully tenanted, well maintained and developed to their highest and best use. It administers the operations of the partnerships by managing its cash flows, arranging finance and delivering income to investors.