Executive Group Chairman

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Serial entrepreneur and businessman Larry Kestelman has followed his limitless passion for people and business and has a reputation for taking on passion projects for close to 30 years developing an impressive business portfolio over an expansive variety of industries.

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Born in Odessa Ukraine, Larry is a migrant success story, becoming one of the most prosperous self-made businessmen in Australia and regular inclusion on the under and over 40’s AFR Rich List. One of the passion project was founding the telecommunications provider Dodo in 2001, before selling the business in 2013.

 

Larry is the Executive Group Chairman of the LK Group, which oversees close to 20 businesses in property, private equity, technology, sport, marketing, hospitality and retail. The six star development Capitol Grand in South Yarra is the jewel in the LK Property Group crown. Within Capitol Grand you find Yugen Dining and Omnia Bistro & Bar which is part of LK Hospitality, both restaurants have been awarded two hats in 2023.

 

In 2015 Larry took ownership of the National Basketball League which has grown from strength to strength and now includes 10 teams across Australia and New Zealand. The newest team the Tasmania JackJumpers who play their home games at the recently completed MyState Bank Arena that the LK Group renovated and will manage for the next 50 years. LK Group are proud to be revitalizing the MyState Bank Arena along with the surrounding Wilkinson’s Point precinct opposite the famous Mona.

 

Larry still retains a minority owner of Melbourne United Basketball Club. He’s supported the team for over a decade and has been instrumental in achieving record memberships and game attendance for the club. The NBL league itself has celebrated breaking records season on season. LK Group also owns sportswear brand First Ever who provides uniforms for the league and custom uniforms for grassroots clubs around Australia as well as investing in businesses leveraging the sporting connection.

 

Larry’s passion for business solutions has led to rapid growth for the outsourced solutions provider Acquire BPO with over 7,500 people across Australia, Philippines and Dominican Republic, the expansion of the human resources service provider Wall Street, performance marketing agency Frankly, virtualised networking systems provider Saisei and the establishment of Petra Industries. Petra brings together leading building material brands including Signorino, Multiform and Woodcut.

 

Queens Lane Capital is the private equity investment arm of the LK Group to invest in established businesses looking to grow.. In November 2020, QLC acquired the PAS Group which is inclusive of 166 retail stores as well as a licensing business and saving some 1,000 local jobs in the middle of COVID19. By mid2021 the portfolio had expanded to now include leading footwear & stylish apparel business Brand Collective, the two companies have since been merged and now operate under Brand Collective.

 

2021 also saw Daniel’s Donuts becoming a part of QLC and thanks to their support, Daniel’s Donuts embarked on a massive growth trajectory, opening 16 new stores, bringing the total number in Victoria to 36.

 

Giving back to the community is important to Larry, which is why the LK Group has a strong Corporate Social Responsibility Plan headed up by Anita Pahor. The LK Group takes a considered and strategic approach to supporting community organisations with a particular focus on the needs of vulnerable and at-risk young people.

 

Larry is a big believer in his people and stands by the adage “you don’t know what you don’t know” and loves learning from everyone he meets. He surrounds himself with leaders and experts in their fields, fostering a culture of strong leadership, rewarding and celebrating people.

 

Life is Good!

My involvement is...

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• Advisory Working Group Member

• Coach Class of 2021 & 2024

• Shark Tank judge of coaches 2024

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I have completed...

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• Larita EmPath™ module one: Understanding Trauma and Healing; training for Larita Academy leaders

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