Lester Singleton and his business partner, Nigel Walkington, created their first fortune in the IT industry through the successful creation and lucrative sale of two financial management software companies.
Global Information Systems was acquired by US multinational SunGard Data Systems in 2000 for $164 million. They have since devoted most of their recent energies to aviation.
They are co-directors and shareholders in Christchurch Helicopters, which operates a fleet of five aircraft from Christchurch Airport. The company was founded by Terry Murdoch and also among its shareholder-directors is former All Black captain Richie McCaw.
The Singleton-Walkington partnership founded the private jet charter company Pacific Jets, which was sold to Australian interests in 2014.