Ron Lesh – Redefining Accounting Through Innovation and Leadership
Australia’s Elite Entrepreneur of the Year, 2025
Ron Lesh’s journey is one of passion, innovation and leadership built on decades of experience in accounting and technology. With a Bachelor of Business earned in 1980 and qualification as a Chartered Accountant in 1992, his foundation was shaped by years of working in accounting firms across Melbourne and the United Kingdom. These early experiences exposed him to the daily challenge’s accountants face and helped him understand how technology could change the way the profession worked. By 1985, he had become a practice principal, but a few years later, he took a leap that would redefine his career and the accounting software industry. We, at The EliteX, are proud to have Ron Lesh as the Australia’s Elite Entrepreneur of the Year, 2025.
In 1989, Ron joined a small consulting firm called BGL Corporate Solutions (BGL). At the time, it was focused on helping accountants make better use of their computer systems. Ron saw an opportunity not just to improve efficiency but to completely transform the way accounting firms handled company secretarial compliance. Most of the processes were manual, slow and error-prone. Drawing from his own experience as an accountant, he developed BGL’s first product, the Corporate Affairs System (CAS) DOS, as part of his postgraduate project. This innovation marked the beginning of BGL’s evolution from a consulting firm into a software powerhouse. His motivation was simple yet powerful – to simplify complexity, reduce human error and help accountants deliver better outcomes through technology. That vision became the guiding principle of his entrepreneurial journey.
“Passion and belief are what drive us to overcome challenges and keep moving forward.”
As the company grew, so did the challenges. One of the most defining moments in Ron’s career came with the launch of Simple Fund 360 in March 2014. This was BGL’s first cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product, designed to automate self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) compliance. While competitors took the easier route by adapting existing desktop systems into hybrid cloud products, Ron and his team decided to build a completely new platform from scratch. The goal was ambitious – to create a true zero-touch application that automated compliance seamlessly. However, the initial release faced performance issues, and the product did not meet client expectations. What followed was one of the most difficult periods in the company’s history.
Clients were frustrated, and the company faced reputational risk. Instead of deflecting blame, Ron personally reached out to clients to apologise and made the bold decision to withdraw the product until it was fully ready. That moment of accountability and humility became a turning point. The team worked tirelessly to rebuild Simple Fund 360, addressing every gap and improving performance. When the product relaunched, it quickly became one of BGL’s most successful innovations. Today, it is used by over 9,000 firms to manage more than 327,000 SMSFs, representing more than half the market. This journey taught Ron and his team the importance of resilience, transparency and perseverance. It also reinforced the idea that true leadership means taking responsibility, even when it’s difficult.
For Ron, motivation comes from passion, purpose and belief. He leads with energy and a deep commitment to the people who make BGL what it is. During challenging times, he focuses on clear communication, transparency and leading by example. His leadership style combines empathy with decisiveness, ensuring that even tough decisions are made with the team’s long-term interests in mind. He believes that motivation is built through shared vision, trust and empowerment. By investing in people, offering support and recognising contributions, he has cultivated a culture where everyone feels valued and motivated to achieve their best.
Innovation has always been at the core of BGL’s success. Ron believes that innovation should not only come from management but from every part of the organisation. Teams are encouraged to explore ideas, experiment and find new ways to improve client experiences. BGL has structured processes that allow for both consistency and creativity, giving employees the freedom to innovate within clear frameworks. Client feedback also plays a critical role. The company actively engages with users through events and communication channels to ensure that product development is always aligned with real-world needs. Professional development days, partnerships with technology leaders such as Amazon Web Services and internal recognition programs further nurture creativity across teams.
“Success is about creating meaningful impact by helping both clients and people thrive.”
Ron describes innovation as part of BGL’s DNA rather than just a strategy. The company’s culture rewards curiosity and initiative, and many of its most successful ideas have come from employees working closest to clients. These bottom-up innovations have shaped BGL’s product suite and strengthened its position as a market leader in accounting technology.
At the centre of Ron’s leadership are values of courage, integrity, collaboration and gratitude. These principles guide his decisions and set the tone for the company’s culture. He believes that leadership is not about authority but about creating an environment where people can flourish. His approach has built a workplace that prioritises clients while empowering employees to take ownership and innovate confidently. By fostering trust and transparency, he ensures that the entire organisation is aligned toward a shared purpose.
The past year has been one of remarkable achievements for BGL under Ron’s leadership. The company expanded to 250 team members across six countries, maintained an impressive engagement rate of 83% and invested $20.7 million in research and development. BGL also handled nearly 35,000 support calls with a 97.4% customer satisfaction rate and expanded its global footprint by opening new offices in Melbourne and the Philippines. Strategic partnerships, such as the Accounting Workpapers agreement with Xero, further strengthened BGL’s market presence. The company released over 20 software updates across its suite, launched new products such as BGL SmartDocs 360, CAS 360 UK and BGLiD, and introduced version 2 of its AI Assistant. These milestones demonstrate how innovation, teamwork and a relentless focus on client experience continue to drive the company forward.
Looking ahead, Ron’s vision for the next five years is clear and ambitious. BGL aims to build industry-leading cloud solutions enhanced by artificial intelligence to further automate compliance and improve efficiency. The company’s strategic goal is to expand its client base to 15,000 globally by 2030 while maintaining a 97% customer satisfaction rate and 80% team engagement. Beyond numbers, the deeper mission is to empower accountants with tools that simplify their work, deliver valuable insights and free them to focus on advisory roles that add real value for their clients. By continuing to invest in technology, people and culture, BGL seeks to create long-term impact not only for its clients but also for the broader accounting community.
Being named Australia’s Elite Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 is a defining moment for Ron and the BGL team. For him, the award is not just a personal honour but a collective recognition of the dedication, creativity and resilience of everyone at BGL. Since 1989, the company has been driven by a shared mission to deliver excellence and push the boundaries of what accounting software can achieve. This recognition validates years of hard work and the courage to innovate even when the path was uncertain. For Ron personally, the award reinforces the values that have guided his leadership – trust, integrity and a relentless focus on improvement. Professionally, it highlights BGL’s role in transforming the accounting technology landscape and setting new benchmarks for innovation and client success.
“Innovation isn’t just a strategy at BGL – it’s part of our DNA.”
Ron defines success not by revenue or market share but by the positive impact created for clients, employees and the industry as a whole. To him, success means developing products that truly make a difference, building a motivated and capable team and creating a company culture where people feel inspired and supported. He takes pride in seeing both clients and staff thrive, knowing that BGL’s growth is built on mutual success.
What makes BGL stand out in Australia’s entrepreneurial landscape is its deep understanding of client needs, combined with a proactive approach to anticipating future challenges. Ron and his team have consistently balanced innovation with practicality, ensuring that every solution adds measurable value. Australia’s business environment, with its strong professional networks and emphasis on compliance, has both challenged and inspired BGL to excel. It has pushed the company to develop smarter, more reliable systems that not only meet regulatory standards but also enhance efficiency and client experience.
In making business decisions, Ron believes in calculated risk-taking grounded in long-term thinking. Every risk is carefully evaluated through client insights, data analysis and team expertise. This approach has allowed BGL to innovate responsibly without compromising quality or sustainability. He views risk not as a threat but as an opportunity for learning and growth when managed wisely.
To young entrepreneurs starting their journey, Ron offers advice shaped by years of experience – focus on solving real problems, surround yourself with talented and motivated people and never stop listening to your clients. Success rarely comes overnight; it’s built through consistency, adaptability and the willingness to learn from every outcome, good or bad.
From his early days in accounting to becoming one of Australia’s most respected entrepreneurs, Ron Lesh’s story is a testament to vision, resilience and leadership grounded in values. Through innovation, empathy and a commitment to excellence, he has not only built a world-class company but also inspired an entire generation of professionals to think bigger and work smarter. His journey with BGL continues to shape the future of accounting technology, proving that true success lies not just in what you achieve but in how you uplift the people and
industries around you.“True leadership means taking responsibility, even when it’s difficult.”
